Glossary

The Ashley Book of Knots. Although not a book specifically related to shibari, this encyclopedia of knots is a seminal work in cataloging all types of knots, with a taxonomy and reference using numerical identifiers. Written by sailor Clifford W. Ashley, the book was first published in 1944 and contains 3,857 numbered entries (although for rope bondage, it's likely you'll only use about 10 of these).

In a BDSM context, aftercare is the process of providing a stable and comforting environment to come out of a scene. Aftercare is widely personal and can include physical comfort, emotional support, and gradual transition back to everyday life.

A casual sitting position with legs crossed, commonly used in informal settings.

The leg or foot in Japanese.

To match or align, often used in rope work to describe bringing elements together.

A friction formed in the shape of an 'X'. This is commonly used at a T-junction between ropes, such as on the top back of a gote. Also known as X-friction.

A common form of upper body bondage where the arms are bound behind the back, also known as gote shibari or takate kote.

A tie with the arms bound behind the head, often called a 'bunny tie' in English. Usagi (兎) is the Japanese word for 'bunny'. See also Kōtōbu ryō tekubi shibari (後頭部両手首縛り).

A type of harness that focuses on the chest area, providing both aesthetic appeal and structural support for suspensions.

A basic tying technique where rope is wrapped around a limb or body part in a cylindrical fashion.

A friction or locking mechanism in rope work.

A tying technique that secures two limbs together, commonly used for wrists or ankles.

The nape of the neck, an important area in rope work for both aesthetics and safety.

A method of securing rope without knots, using wraps and tension to hold rope in place.

A tie of the thigh, often used in suspension work for structural support.

A tie with the hands bound behind the back, commonly known as a box tie in English.

The art of binding the hands behind the back, a fundamental technique in kinbaku.

A structural rope pattern designed to distribute weight and provide support, often used in suspension work.

A harness that focuses on the hip area, commonly used for suspension and structural support.

A raft or platform tie, often used in floor work.

A natural fiber rope commonly used in traditional shibari, known for its grip and aesthetic qualities.

The art of Japanese rope bondage, emphasizing aesthetics, connection, and technique.

The forearm or wrist area.

A tie with the arms bound behind the head, often called a 'bunny tie' in English. See also Usagi shibari (兎縛り).

A tying technique focused on the legs, often used for structural support or aesthetic purposes.

The chest area.

A chest harness or chest protection in rope work.

Rope in Japanese.

Tying on the bed, or floor work. See also Yukawaza (床技).

A friction knot, commonly used in rope work for securing rope without traditional knots.

A variation of the gote tie with specific aesthetic characteristics.

A suspension where the bottom is partially lifted from the ground, with some weight still supported by the floor.

A nerve that runs through the arm and can be affected by rope work, particularly in wrist ties.

The person who ties in rope bondage, also known as the top or dominant partner.

The person being tied in rope bondage, also known as the bottom or submissive partner.

A formal sitting position on the knees, commonly used in traditional Japanese culture.

The art of Japanese rope bondage, focusing on aesthetics, connection, and technique.

A basic tying technique that secures one limb or body part.

A rope technique where the bottom is lifted completely off the ground, supported entirely by rope.

A traditional upper body tie with the arms bound behind the back, also known as TK.

A sash used to hold up a kimono, also used to describe a specific rope pattern.

Suspension in Japanese rope work.

Rabbit in Japanese, often used to describe bunny ties or exposed armpits.

A tie with the arms bound behind the head, often called a 'bunny tie' in English.

Hands bound behind the back.

A tie with the hands bound in a praying position behind the back. Commonly known as a reverse prayer tie in English.

A type of torture from the Edo period where a prisoner is lifted from the ground using their hands tied behind the back.

Also known as ushirote takata kote shibari. This refers to the arms being bound high behind the back. This is the common form of a 'box tie'.

Inspired by the tasuki, used to hold up a kimono, this pattern ties the wrists behind the back, then crosses the chest.

A suspension where the bottom is suspended in a face-down position.

A suspension where the bottom is suspended in a face-down position. See Utsubuse shibari.

A term often used to describe someone who does not partake in bondage or kink activities, or a sexual activity that does not involve any form of kink/BDSM.

In a kink context, vetting (to vet) involves learning more about a potential play partner to determine if they feel safe to play with or like a good match.

Like a nodome, but tied the other way round. Known as an inverted/inverse Munter hitch.

Exposed armpits, also known as usagi or bunny ears, where hands are bound behind the head near the nape of the neck.

A wall knot is a form of stopper knot, using the split strands of rope to form a stopper. Assigned the reference ABOK #671.

A Japanese-style room, frequently called a 'tatami room' in English, with traditional tatami flooring.

Cotton rope. Derived from wata (綿 or cotton) and nawa (縄 or rope).

Western bondage can trace its lineage back to the mid-century publications of famed fetishists like John Willie, Irving Klaw and Helmut Newton.

In rope, whipping is a way of finishing the ends of rope to prevent fraying, achieved by wrapping twine around the rope to hold it in place.

Also known as a running end, this is the part of the rope actively being used in the tying, as opposed to the standing end.

A nerve injury caused by pressure on the radial nerve, resulting in motor function impairment of the wrist and inability to lift the wrist. Also known as radial nerve palsy.

A quick bowline method developed by Wykd Dave.

A friction formed in the shape of an 'X'. This is commonly used at a T-junction between ropes. Also known as battendome (罰点留め).

'Side knot', also known as a granny knot.

A side suspension, where the bottom is tied in a sideways orientation.

Sometimes described as a 'broken seiza', this position involves sitting on the knee with hips to the side of the legs.

A tie of the fingers, sometimes falling under the category of 'microbondage'.

Tying on the floor.

The act of tying a model who wears a summer kimono (yukata).

Tying on the bed, or floor work. See also Newaza (寝技).

Commonly used name for a knot used by Yukimura sensei, involving pulling a loop and locking it with a hitch.

Binding hands high in the front, similar to modern choker ties.

Alternative form of tsuri (吊り), used when forming a suffix.