Glosario Jap. Sogas

Glossary of Japanese Terms:



Rope Terms

I. Communications

I. The Japanese Glossary of Rope Terms:

Agura shibari – Generalized term for any tie where the bottom partner sits in a crossed legged (Indian style) position. Although somewhat similar in appearance, this tie should not be confused with the far more restrictive Ebi shibari.

Aomuke tsuri – AFace up Suspension (tsuri).

Asanawa – Hemp rope. Asa = hemp; nawa = rope. Traditional Japanese bondage rope.
Rope is usually 7- 8 meters in length (25’-30’) and between 6 – 8mm (3/8” – ¼”) in width.
This will vary due to the size of the rope bottom and comfort style. (You can always add additional rope to your tie).

bari – Sometimes the word shibari is abbreviated to “bari” whendescribing various ties.

Chokushin Fudo Ippon shibari – Immobilizing the subject in an upright position. A form of bondage where the body is wrapped in parallel ropes while the bottom is “standing at attention”.

Dojo – A place for practice of martial arts; hands on.

Dorei – A term sometimes used to denote a rope slave, or one who is captured in rope.
This is actually not a Japanese word,rather derives from Greek, meaning slavery.

Ebi shibari (or Ebi-bari) – The “shrimp” or lotus tie is where the subject sits cross-legged (Indian style) and the upper body is tied close to the ankles in a submissive bow. One of the oldest kinbaku ties, referred to as the “prawn” position in ancient hojojutsu style. It was used as a torture technique (ebizeme) for 100’s of years and was mandated asa punishment for crimes in 1742 by the rulers of Tokugawa Japan. It is referenced in many manuals and art works and is an advanced shibari position.

Gassho – Pressing one’s hands together in a prayer position. See Ushirode-Gassho for reverse prayer position behind the back.

Gyaku-ebi shibari – A reverse ebi, very similar to the western hog-tie, where the hands and feet of the bottom aretied together behind the back. There are numerous versions both simple and complex. A very strict position for the very limber!

Gyaku-ebi suri (tsuri) – The suspended version of the Gyaku-ebi (see above) with the bottom tied and suspended in mid-air, face down, with the hands/feet/legs tied up and behind as in the conventional hog-tie. The most common, but advanced suspension position inshibari.

Gyoga-shippo shibari – Binding the knees while the subject is lying face up.

Hashira ushirodaki shibari – Tying someone using a wooden pole (usually bamboo).

Hishi Kikkou shibari – This tie creates a diamond shape knot. Taken from early hojojitsu (see below) techniques.

Hojojitsu / hojo-jutso – The ancient martial art of capturing or arresting with rope. Practiced among Samuraifrom the 1600 – 1800’s to restrain prisoners. It is from these techniques that modern kinbaku-bi or the erotic, artistic forms of bondage evolved.

Hon Kikkou – see Kikkou hon below.

Isu-jyo kohai – chair bondage.

jujun – A Submissive, bottom, obedient one, also referred to as a (rope) slut.
Combined with nawa-jujun (rope submissive).

Kaikyaku – Tied with legs spread wide.

Kamishibari – Generalized term for a hair tie. This is a tie where the hair of the bottom is bound with rope. Sometimes this tie is incorporated into another shibari position.

Karada – Body; A generalized term for a variety of body harnesses/ rope dress.

Kata-Ashi zuri (tsuri) shibari – Any of a number of styles of one leg up suspensions.

Ki – Center of spirit or soul. The focus point inmeditation. (Chi in Chinese).

Kikkou (Hon) shibari – Tortoise; The famous tortoise shell tie. So called because the hexagonal pattern created resembles that found on the Japanese tortoise shell. This can be full body or only on the torso. The traditional style creates one or more hexagonal shapes on the front and a beautiful star burst pattern on the back.

Kinbaku – The ancient art of...