Mango

Mango (he/him) is one of only two people currently authorized to teach Nawashi Akechi Kanna’s style anywhere in the world. Some of us still call him AGKT, short for aguacate, his own chosen nickname; Mango is what his teacher calls him.

Originally from Europe, he’s now based in Ottawa. He tried shibari once, decades ago — it didn’t take, but the interest held, carried by a fascination with gothic, avant-garde imagery from growing up in the 80s and 90s. Naka-style classes in Montréal brought him back in 2015; Kanna-style followed the year after. Kanna named him an official instructor in 2022, a choice she’s said came down to emotional maturity and respect for people, not skill — part of building a lasting legacy for her own teacher, Akechi Denki. He’s also a co-founder of CORE (Collective for Ottawa Rope Education).

Visits and involvement with Shibari.PH

• August 19, 2017 — first visit, two skillshares. An intermediate gote clinic and skillshare, plus an introduction to sadomasochistic ropes.
• August 27, 2022 — second visit, two classes. An introduction to Kanna-style workshop, tying with Toni, and a Kanna-style intermediate class, tying with Oceane — both carrying the Kanna-ryū name.
• December 2022 — interview published. He spoke with us about the style’s roots in bars, photoshoots, and sex work. Read the interview.

Where to find him

Fetlife. Twitter. His Linktree, CORE included if you’re ever near Ottawa. Classes and workshops.