Essential Shibari Terms

You might have heard of Japanese rope bondage, also known as Shibari. In case you want to try it, you should know the essential Shibari terms. This will improve communication with your partner. Moreover, it will contribute to the success of the scene. Because of its origin, some of these words are in Japanese, but none of them is so complicated that you can’t understand them. 

SHIBARI: Japanese rope bondage.

KINBAKU: Japanese rope bondage with stronger sexual overtones.

HOJOJUTSU: Military restraint technique in which ropes were used. It is the antecedent of Shibari.

RIGGER / TOP: The person who ties.

KINBAKUSHI: A rigger who specializes in Kinbaku.

ROPE BUNNY / BOTTOM: The person who gets tied.

NEGOTIATION: The definition of all the events that will take place in a specific scene.

CONSENT: The mandatory and always necessary agreement of the participants in a scene.

SAFETY: The main concern of the rigger. He must pay particular attention to possible muscular, nervous, and circulatory damage.

SCENE: The process of tying, enjoying, and untying.

AFTERCARE: The emotional process that takes place between rigger and bunny after a scene.

INVISIBLE BOND: The emotional connection between partners.

PATTERN: The shape of a group of knots.

KNOT: The specific way of tying a rope to the body.

SUBSPACE: An intense physical and emotional state reached by a bottom due to a scene.

PREDATORY BEHAVIOR: Inadmissible conduct of the rigger which breaks the previously negotiated terms of the scene.

EMERGENCY: Unforeseen damage caused by the scene. Riggers must be prepared to react quickly and efficiently to it.

There are many other terms related to Shibari. But it’s best to learn them as you go along, tying and doing scenes. To begin with, this list provides the essential Shibari terms that any bondage practitioner should know and understand.