Single-rope Play Techniques (ipponnawa)

一本縄遊戯

Shibari, kinbaku, or rope play are much more than just fancy suspension work.

To connect with your rope partner on a deeply emotional level focus on your ukete-san (受け手さん, the one receiving your administrations) with one rope -- and one rope only!

Such communicative play can easily last for an hour or more.

Enjoy watching the play session of this workshop.

Inspire each other to explore the depths of your souls deeper and deeper.

The "End of the Rope" -- Nawajiri

"Nawajiri" (縄尻) is Yukimura speak for "end of the rope".

In Yukimura-ryu (雪村流) this "working end" is handled consciously and deliberately in such a way that by varying the tension and vibration in the rope you will get a string telephone (ito denwa, 糸電話) effect helping you maintain a "conversation" with your rope partner. Shiri (尻) is Japanese for butt. If shiri is preceded by nawa (rope, 縄) it is pronounced jiri.

The bight of the rope is called nawagashira (縄頭). Kashira (頭) is Japanese for head. If it is preceded by nawa it is pronounced gashira. The head of certain groups, i.e. the yakuza, is also referred to as kashira.

Now back to the nawajiri. When tying you will constantly be dealing with the "working" end of the rope. If treated wisely you will be able to have a constant dialog with your rope partner.