Enzyklopädie Archiv - Page 4 of 4

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.