Kinbaku: Your Guide to Your First Ties

Kinbaku, a mesmerizing Japanese art form that transforms rope bondage into a canvas of emotional storytelling and aesthetic splendor. This guide invites you to explore the intricate beauty of Kinbaku, an art that transcends mere physical restraint to become a profound medium of artistic and emotional expression.

What is Kinbaku?

Kinbaku, means “tight binding,” is an evocative and aesthetic practice rooted in Japanese BDSM culture. Unlike conventional bondage, Kinbaku is an art form that focuses on the visual and emotional impact, celebrating the beauty of asymmetry and the intimate dance of trust and control. The art utilizes ropes made from natural fibers like jute or hemp. With these tools Kinbaku artists weave intricate patterns that are as stunning as they are complex.

Kinbaku evolved from the late Edo period, it has its genesis in Hojojutsu, an ancient martial art used for binding prisoners. Kinbaku’s transformation into an erotic art was pioneered by individuals like Seiu Ito in the early 20th century. It was once a secretive underground practice that became popular during the 1950s.

Shibari vs. Kinbaku

While ‘Shibari’ and ‘Kinbaku’ are often used interchangeably by many, they have subtle differences. Shibari refers broadly to the act of tying and is a term often embraced in Western bondage circles. Kinbaku, however, connotes a more erotic, sensual, and artistic dimension to rope bondage, underscoring the cultural and emotional depth of the practice.

In Kinbaku, each rope and knot is a stroke of artistic genius, with the human body serving as a living canvas. The aesthetic appeal is paramount, often involving asymmetrical and challenging positions that enhance the visual drama. The binding process itself is a journey, with each rope acting as a silent communicator between the practitioner and the person being bound.

The Mastery of Kinbaku Techniques

Mastering Kinbaku is an art in itself, demanding skill and understanding of its unique patterns and techniques. Derived from Hojojutsu but adapted for safety and aesthetics, patterns like the Ushiro Takatekote and Ebi-tie are central to Kinbaku’s practice, each carrying its own history and significance.

The following are the basic techniques to start your Kinbaku journey:

Single Column Tie

Creating a single column tie that wraps vertically up the body to restrict movement is a fundamental technique in rope bondage. This technique is typically used to bind one part of the body, such as an arm or leg, but can be adapted for vertical body wraps. This is how you do a single column tie-

Safety First

• Consent and Communication: Always ensure clear, enthusiastic consent from the person being tied. Discuss any health issues, comfort, and safewords.
• Rope Selection for Kinbaku: Use a soft, non-abrasive rope, like cotton, silk, or a specialized bondage rope. Avoid ropes that stretch too much or are too thin.
• Safety Tools: Have safety scissors or a cutting tool nearby in case of an emergency where the rope needs to be removed quickly.

Steps for Single Column Tie (Vertical Body Wrap)

1. Start at the Base: Begin at the ankles or lower part of the leg. Make a loop around the leg, ensuring the rope is not too tight. It should be snug but allow for a finger to slide underneath easily.
2. Create the Knot: Cross the ends of the rope over the initial loop. One end of the rope (the active end) should now be heading upwards, and the other (the standing end) should be secured.
3. Wrap Vertically: Start wrapping upwards, maintaining even tension. Each wrap should lie snugly against the skin but not too tight. Keep the ropes parallel and avoid twisting them.
4. Spacing: Maintain consistent spacing between the wraps for aesthetics and comfort. The spacing is typically about an inch, but this can vary based on preference and the length of the rope.
5. Secure the Tie: Once you reach the desired height (just below the chest area for safety), you can secure the tie. Pass the active end of the rope under the last wrap to create a “lock” and prevent the rope from unraveling.
6. Finishing the Tie: You can finish the tie by either tying a basic knot with the remaining rope or continuing to use the remaining rope for further bondage or decorative purposes.
7. Regular Checks: Throughout the process, regularly check in with the person being tied for any signs of discomfort, numbness, or loss of circulation.

Next we have the Double Column Tie

1. Position the Columns: Have the person being tied position the two body parts (e.g., wrists or ankles) close together.
2. Measure and Loop the Rope: Fold your rope in half to find the middle (the bight). Hold the bight, and wrap the rope around the two columns. Ensure that the bight passes over the standing part of the rope.
3. First Wrap: Wrap the rope around the columns once, making sure it’s snug but not too tight. You should be able to slide a finger underneath the rope.
4. Cross the Ropes: After the first wrap, cross the two ends of the rope underneath the columns. This creates a cinch that will prevent the tie from loosening.
5. Second Wrap: Continue wrapping the rope around the columns in the opposite direction of the first wrap. This second wrap should be parallel to the first and equally snug.
6. Lock the Wrap: After completing the second wrap, bring the ends of the rope back underneath the columns again, forming another cinch. This further secures the tie.
7. Knotting: Tie a basic square knot with the ends of the rope above the wraps. To do this, cross the right end over the left, loop it under, and pull tight. Then cross what is now the right end over the left, loop it under, and pull tight again.
8. Securing the Ends: You can either tuck the remaining rope ends into the wraps for a neater appearance or use them to continue into other bondage elements.

Remember

• Rope Tension: Ensure the rope is snug but not so tight that it cuts off circulation.
• Safety: Regularly check the tied person’s comfort, especially for any numbness or loss of circulation.
• Quick Release: Be prepared to untie the person quickly in case of discomfort or emergency. Always keep safety scissors or a cutting tool nearby.
• Practice for Proficiency: Practice this technique multiple times to gain confidence and ensure you can tie and untie efficiently and safely.

The Double Column Tie is versatile and forms the foundation for more complex bondage patterns. Remember, the key is to maintain safety, comfort, and communication throughout the process.

Futomomo: Leg Tie

The Futomomo (also known as the “leg binder” or “fat leg tie”) is a classic tie in rope bondage, specifically in Kinbaku. It binds the leg by folding it upon itself, creating an aesthetically pleasing and restrictive tie. Here’s how you an to perform a Futomomo tie:

1. Fold the Leg: Have the person being tied bend one leg at the knee, bringing the heel close to the thigh. The leg should form a roughly 90-degree angle.
2. Position the Rope: Fold your rope in half to find the bight (middle). Place the bight just above the ankle, wrapping both ends of the rope around the leg, over the thigh and under the bent knee.
3. Initial Wraps: Wrap the rope around the thigh and calf several times. These wraps should be snug but not too tight, with even spacing. Typically, three to four wraps are sufficient.
4. Secure the Wraps: After completing the initial wraps, cross the rope ends over the front of the shin and pass them behind the leg. Then bring them back over the top of the shin.
5. Create Frictions: Continue by wrapping the rope around the initial wraps in a perpendicular direction, creating “frictions” that lock the wraps in place. These frictions also add to the aesthetic of the tie.
6. Tie Off the Rope: Once you have completed the frictions and are satisfied with the stability of the tie, you can secure the rope. This can be done by tying a basic square knot or another suitable knot that you can easily untie.
7. Adjust for Comfort: Check with the person being tied for comfort and adjust the tightness if needed. The rope should be firm enough to restrict movement but not cause pain or discomfort.

Practice and Proficiency

• The Futomomo tie is intricate and may require practice to perfect. It’s advisable to practice this tie several times to become proficient and ensure the comfort and safety of the person being tied.

You are now ready for the Steps for Tasuki Chest Harness

The Tasuki Shibari tie is a chest harness that wraps over the shoulders and under the arms, often used in Japanese rope bondage. It’s named after the traditional Japanese garment fastener. Here’s a step-by-step guide to tying a Tasuki chest harness:

1. Start with the Center Bight: Find the middle of your rope by folding it in half to create a bight. Place the bight at the top of the back, just below the neck.
2. Create the First Shoulder Wrap: Bring both ends of the rope over the shoulders, crossing them over the chest, and then under the arms. Make sure the rope lies flat against the body without twisting.
3. Cross at the Back: After passing under the arms, cross the ropes over the back, right where the spine meets the shoulder blades.
4. Over the Shoulders Again: Bring the ropes back over the shoulders, crossing them in the front again, but this time higher up the chest, closer to the collarbones.
5. Underarm Wrap: After crossing on the chest, bring the ropes under the arms again, but slightly higher than the first underarm wrap.
6. Secure at the Back: Cross the ropes again at the back, this time lower than the first cross, around the mid-back level.
7. Tie Off the Harness: Depending on the length of your rope, you can either tie the ends in a secure knot at the back or continue wrapping the torso, following the pattern of crossing over and under. Finish with a knot or tuck the ends into the existing wraps for a neat appearance.

The Tasuki chest harness follows the contours of the body and as a result it is one of the more beautiful ties. As with all rope bondage practices, the key is clear communication, consent, and paying attention to detail.

You can learn more ties here.