We begin our exploration of tying techniques with the simplest one, which forms the foundation for most of the commonly used forms.
A Myth: Shibari is All About Tying Knots
The reality is, it’s not. Especially in sekibaku, the core focus is managing an erotic interaction, and strictly speaking, knots are few and far between.
The most common knot, and the one we’ll focus on in this exercise, is known in English as the single column tie. However, we’ll refer to it by its Japanese name: hon musubi. As we’ll see later, the name itself holds additional, very interesting information.
This is a binding you can use to restrain limbs, apply it to any other part of the body, or even use it to secure the rope to a physical object, such as a post.
But stopping at something as simple as tying one thing to another is not the goal of this course. Therefore, we’ll also explore how this technique is a powerful communication tool.
It is one of the fundamental techniques within this style; mastering it is key to evolve, developing your own style, and enjoying a satisfying practice.
Hon musubi, single column, basic knot... These may seem like three ways to refer to the same technique, and in general, they are—but with nuances.
Let’s take a closer look at this technique, the first one every student must learn before attempting to tie someone else.
Shibari is not about tying knots
In fact, in sekibaku, only one knot is typically made at the beginning, to secure and fix the rope. Often, not even the final figure requires a knot to close it.
There’s a cultural background to this: energy (ki) cannot flow if there’s a knot, as it stagnates and creates discomfort.
It’s a beautiful story, but we can demystify it with a more practical explanation: the transmission of vibrations through the rope is interrupted by a knot.
However, in reality, the absence of knots has more to do with practicality and the speed of tying and untying than with more abstract concepts.
Since this is the technique commonly used to start, we’ll call it the basic knot. Technically, it’s a single column tie, a simple, functional binding with multiple variations.
It’s important to remember that there is no single correct way or technique in Yagami Ryu.
In class, we demonstrate and suggest the form we prefer, the one we consider simplest or the one that best suits our interests at a given moment. However, there are almost always other valid ways to do things.
The Importance of Technique
We must always remember that shibari is technique, and as such, it can always be improved and refined.
The manual skills needed to create a beautiful, safe, and efficient binding can be developed with a bit of time and dedication.
Without this effort, we’d rely solely on innate talent, which isn’t evenly distributed.
This is a simple technique, no matter how complicated it may seem at first. Persist, and you’ll see how quickly you can master it.
Explanation: Hon musubi is a technique, not a knot. The knot is the single column tie, an efficient way to secure a rope to a post. In contrast, hon musubi is how we apply that in shibari.
Using poor technique or lacking the necessary skills to execute it correctly increases risks exponentially.
Don’t ruin what should be a satisfying erotic encounter by neglecting attention or failing to dedicate a few minutes to practicing something as simple as this figure.
And never forget that in shibari, the focus is on the people, not the ropes.
Your skills should allow you to perform bindings without needing to focus on the rope, without stopping to think whether it should go over or under, left or right.
For this reason, you must always stay within the technical range your skills allow. Trying to show off beyond your capabilities is a recipe for failure.
Hon musubi is a figure that, once mastered, you can confidently incorporate into your interactions.
The Meaning of the Name
In Japanese, hon (本) refers to the knot itself.
Musubi (結び) primarily means “to unite, join, or link.” This is evident, as the binding unites and links. But there’s more to it.
One of its meanings is ”spirited,” as the term is used to refer to fermented liquors. It also alludes to transformation and the birth of something new.
These interpretations come from Shintoism, but if we bring it to a more everyday context, we can focus on its use in cooking. In this “guild” context, musubi means ”to wrap carefully.”
If you enjoy sushi, you’ll be familiar with a piece that consists of a portion of rice wrapped in a sheet of seaweed. Musubi is the name of the delicate technique used to prepare it, avoiding crushing or deforming the rice and without breaking the seaweed.
This is the sense we give it in the context of sekibaku.
Beyond learning to tie a knot to join two elements, it’s about learning to communicate and manage through the binding, focusing not on the final result but on the process of creation.
You’re not tying a cow to a column… You must infuse the act of tying with emotion and erotic desire.
When you visualize this action, remember that you’re wrapping something delicate. It’s not about coiling rope around a person, but about enveloping them with care and intention.
The focus should be on the person, not the rope. If you practice alone, try tying while paying attention to the sensation, not just the material.
How and Why This Form Was Chosen
Several years ago, Yagami Ren sought a faster way to tie the knot, one that would also integrate better with his technique.
After numerous trials and errors, he arrived at this form, where the “twist” that changes the rope’s direction is linked to its use as a communication tool.
Let’s remember that the rope has a direction, and we’ll use it to transmit energy and intention.
For everything to work harmoniously, whether the rope twists in the same direction or opposite directions is not irrelevant.