A night of constraint

Event information

A Night of Constraint is a dinner party event, held at the city branch of Ping Ping (3 Appold street) in the private upper floor. It will progress through a four course dinner of dim sum interspersed with poetry readings, Japanese rope bondage, butoh dance, martial arts and short films, accompanied by traditional Shamisen (Japanese three-stringed instrument).

These performances will stimulate debate on how CONSTRAINT is present in both English and Japanese culture and our different reactions to it.

At the bar, a series of sake and plum wine based drinks will be served. Tickets are £28 in advance / £35 on the door which includes food, performance and an introductory sake based cocktail.

The Performers

The host will be Akimbo Moonchild (Bistrotheque, Latitude 2009), a performer and event organiser with a fascination with oriental culture. Akimbo explores modern and traditional imagery surrounding oriental figures such as geishas and concubines through a combination of costume and performance art.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/akimbo.moonchild?ref=profile

Nawashi Murakawa (Shibari / Japanese Rope Bondage)
Nawashi (`Master of the Rope`) is the doyen of London`s Japanese rope bondage scene. He has 18 years of worldwide experience and has travelled widely in Japan to further his understanding of the Japanese tradition. He is also an illustrator, creates Japanese props and window settings and holds rope bondage life drawing events.


Thierry Alexandre (Butoh performer).Thierry uses Butoh -an avant-garde abstract dance form from Japan- to express the deepest and most misunderstood emotions in a physical form and creates compelling, deeply emotive and mesmerising performances taking the audience on unexpected journeys. More Information at www.thierryalexandre.com.

Shamisen Awa Musume (Musician). Her stage name means 'daughter of the shamisen' which is a traditional three stringed Japanese instrument. Her music will accompany the night and she will also be the model for Nawashi Murakawa's performance.

Noriko Onohara is a fashion researcher presently associated with the V&A. In her native Japan she holds a lectureship in modern Japanese culture and fashion. She has published several volumes of poetry next to her academic work on street fashion.

Fabio Gygi is an anthropologist specializing in contemporary Japan. He has been living in Japan on and off for four years and has been practicing Aikido for 18 years.

Francis Rushby (Japanese ikebana florist). Francis has arranged flowers for Madonna, Claridge's and Dior, and has helped Japanese bonzai group 'bonsai kai' win silver gilt at the Chelsea flower show.