Category: Shibari terms

Takatekote

Takatekote (高手小手) is the name of a classic shibari pattern. It is one of the most famous and widespread patterns. The forearms are placed at least horizontally on top of each other and tied together with a “single column tie”. Then several layers are wrapped around the torso and fixed at the back. This pattern is taught in almost all schools and always differs in certain points.

The Takatekote (short: TK) contains all the essential basic elements of Shibari. In a way, this pattern is like an alphabet of basic techniques. That is why so much time is spent teaching it. Besides the techniques, it also offers many opportunities to interact with the partner.

It is one of the most stable and refined patterns in shibari. Therefore, the TK is also used for many advanced suspensions and transitions.

Due to the symmetrical structure and because the TK encloses the whole upper body, it is easy to attach decorations (“Kazari”). This makes the Takatekote also a solid base for longer sesssions or performances and can always look different.

Tension

Tension literally means “tension”. Usually it refers to the rope tension, i.e. how tightly or loosely it is tied. In Yukimura-Ryû, however, it also refers to the emotional tension in the model and the bakushi. Both aspects influence each other and can be used to create intense moods.

The complex relationship between the rope tension and the emotional tension opens up its own playing field, which can already be used to design entire sessions. As in many other cases, the parameters tight/loose tightening and low/high emotional tension can be combined at will.

Tenugui

Tenugui (手ぬぐい) are narrow rectangular towels. They are 30 cm wide and 90 cm long and made of thin cotton. Tenugui are dyed or printed in different ways. There are two types of motifs: traditional patterns or pictures. Classic patterns are for example dotted mame-shibori or hishi shapes.

Particularly popular motifs are animals or plants, family crests (kamon, 家紋), traditional caricatures (Chôjû-jinbutsu-giga, 戯画) or motifs from woodblock prints (ukiyoe, 浮添え). There are numerous traditional patterns, such as the dotted mame shibori (豆絞り) , but waves or stylized plant leaves are also common.

Kendo fighters wear them under the helmet to catch the sweat. Some particularly beautiful Tenugui are also hung on the wall as pictures.

Tenugui are very useful in shibari as blindfolds. This makes it easier for the ukete to focus on non-verbal communication. Many bakushi use tenugui to practice blindfolded patterns.

Teppô

When the first Portuguese arrived in Japan in the 16th century, they soon introduced firearms aka Teppô (鉄砲). It is these rifles slung over the shoulders of soldiers that first inspired the teppô shibari ( 鉄砲縛り) and later the teppozuri (鉄砲吊り) aka rifle suspension.

This suspension was popularized by the late shibari grandmaster Akechi Denki (明智伝鬼) and is very popular both on stages and in private.

Despite the traditional name, this pattern is not a classical pattern. There are no templates in hôjô-jutsu or other manuals and martial arts that show this technique. This pattern is a modern interpretation of traditional themes in shibari. It draws on historical imagery, but uses shibari aesthetics.

Ukete

Ukete (受け手) is the person who receives the rope. Alternative terms would be “bunny” or “model”. Ukete, literally the “receiving hand,” is a gender-neutral term and the opposite term to bakushi. While “model” is otherwise used more in a professional setting and “bunny” is used generally but with an emphasis on non-professional use, ukete is still a fairly new term.

Ukete is a role description that is mostly used outside of the classroom. Ukete can be used for all gender identifications without any problems. There is also no distinction between singular and plural, so ukete refers to an individual as well as a group.

This term can thus be applied to all gender identities.

Yokozuri

Yokozuri (横吊り) means “lateral suspension”. It is the first and most basic form of suspension taught. The body weight rests laterally on the layers of takatekote on the upper body. This distributes the load evenly and provides a relatively comfortable feeling.

The Yokozuri is a creative, relatively simple and safe pattern.

One foot remains on the ground until just before lift-off, so that Ukete can test for himself, by lifting his foot, whether the ropes are properly seated and how great the physical strain is.

As a rule, this form consists of a stable upper body restraint. In Osada-Ryû, a Takatekote made of three ropes is usually used. However, other upper body patterns are also possible, such as a nijûbishi.

The preliminary stage is the kata-ashi-zuri, which is a partial suspension. Here, one foot remains on the floor, so that the load on ukete remains minimal. But already in this stage you can create many beautiful images and experiment with the partial suspension.