Lectures and analysis: references for informed shibari practice

Rope is the first thing that captures our attention when we come to shibari. The geometric shapes, the way it is applied, that mix of erotic sophistication and natural simplicity it conveys fascinate us immediately.

Perhaps that is why students are so surprised when we tell them they don’t need rope.

Hon musubime (本結び目) is the base knot of shibari: one of the oldest and most widespread knots in the world, found in tied parcels, bandages, garbage bags and even shoelaces.

Everyone has tied it at some point. And precisely because of that, everyone thinks they know how to tie it.

When you ask yourself which surface is best for shibari practice, the answer comes out almost without thinking: tatami, of course.

Yet that certainty fades as soon as we look at it closely. Technically, tatami is one of the least suitable options.

For anyone who comes to this discipline out of curiosity, safety is among the first things they ask about.

The way rope ends are finished tends to be each rigger’s signature or hallmark, showing their preferences, tastes and distinguishing touches.

From simple overhand knots to elaborate plaits, through whipping or even metal pieces, in this article we analyze their functionality and the pros and cons of the main options.

When you look at a rope folded in half, with the middle pointing up, the fibers trace a spiral. Depending on which way that spiral rises, the twist is called S or Z.

Plant-fiber rope has a love-hate relationship with water.

We update this article over the years because, with time, both materials and experience evolve, and it is worth reviewing what used to be taken for granted.