About shibari

A short introduction to the rope, the words and what usually happens in the room.

Shibari is a Japanese art form in which the body is tied with rope. It can be craft, communication and a way of exploring the body. Shibari can be about presence, trust, aesthetics and interplay. Technique and precision meet feeling and creativity. For some it is meditative, for others play, art, closeness or curiosity.

Common questions

Do I need to be strong or flexible?: No. Shibari can be adapted to the body and the person.
Do I need to be in a relationship?: No. You can tie with friends, acquaintances or new contacts. Consent and communication are what matter.
Is shibari always sexual?: No. It can be craft, art or relaxation. The people involved define the experience themselves.

Glossary

Words you may hear in the studio, explained briefly.

Rigger: The person doing the tying.
Bunny: The person being tied. Sometimes called model or bottom.
Switch: Someone who both ties and is tied, on different occasions.
Kinbaku (緊縛): Tying with intention. The word stresses the relationship and the intent more than the pattern.
Aibunawa (愛撫縄): Soft, caressing rope where contact and feeling matter more than tension.
Semenawa (責め縄): Challenging rope where discomfort, endurance and intensity are part of the experience. It needs clear communication.
Ichinawa (一縄): Working with a single rope, often improvised and close.
Single column tie: A basic cuff around one body part, such as a wrist or a leg.
Double column tie: A basic tie joining two body parts, such as two wrists.
TK / Box tie (Takate Kote): An upper-body tie with the arms behind the back. A common foundation in shibari, and sensitive to nerve pathways, which is why it is practised carefully.
Futomomo: A tie around the thigh, often with the lower leg folded against it.
Hogtie: A floor tie where the upper body and legs are connected behind the back.
Floorwork: All rope done on the floor, without suspension.
Labb: An open practice slot for tying freely at your own pace, without teaching.
Peer rope: An open rope evening where everyone ties with each other on equal terms.
Session: One defined occasion where two or more people tie together.
Landing: The time after a session, spent winding down, talking and returning.
Semisuspension: Partial suspension, where part of the body still rests on the floor.
Suspension: Full suspension, where the rope carries the whole body. It requires experience and margins.
Hashira: A post or pillar used as an anchor point instead of a ring in the ceiling.
Scene: Used both for a defined rope moment between people and for a performance in front of an audience. Context decides which is meant.