Common Non- Japanese Terminology in Shibari

Shibari is the traditional Japanese art of bondage. However, it has been enriched with other cutlural apporaches. Therefore, it is important to know the most common non-Japanese terminology in Shibari. Consequently, any rope lover who enters the Shibari world needs to learn the terminology used.

The most common non-Japanese Terms in Shibari are the following:
-Anchor Point – The support point in a suspension.
-Band – One or more pieces of rope across the body
-Bight – Usually the mid-point of the rope folded against itself; any loop of rope made by folding it against itself.
-Carabiner(biner) – A coupling link with safety closure used in suspension, either attached to the rope on the body or to the anchor.
-Cuff – Two or more wraps, usually around the wrist, ankle or leg.
-Floor Work – Rope bondage without suspension.
-Harness – Any pattern of rope which holds the body and supports its weight.
-Hitch – A method for attaching one rope to another
-Load – To apply force to a tie and the body in the tie through some means of pulling the rope.
-Rigger –  The person tying, also called “top”.
-Ring – A metal or wooden ring used for suspension.
-Rope Hank /Bundle – A single piece of rope, usually folded in some way to make it compact, portable and accessible.
-Top – The person doing the tying.

-Rope Bottom – The person being tied.
-Rope Bunny – The endearing term of “rope bottom”
–Running End – The part of the rope you are actively tying with
-Suspension – Using rope to lift the body from the ground
-Up-Line /Suspension Line – the line running from the body to the anchor point.
-Tails /Standing End/ Working End – The part of the rope you are not actively tying with.
-Tension – How “tight” the rope is.

Now you know the most common non-Japanese terminology in Shibari.

Image: Metro