Rope bondage / shibari: what it means
Using rope to restrain or decorate a willing partner. Shibari and kinbaku are Japanese-influenced styles known for their patterns and aesthetics. Rope needs real skill: learn from classes or experienced people, avoid nerve and circulation injuries, check in often, and keep safety shears close by.
Also called: kinbaku.
In practice
Rope is a skill, and people often spend months learning it. Common advice is to take classes from experienced teachers, learn the risks of nerve and circulation injury, never leave a tied person alone, check in constantly, and keep safety shears within reach. Many people also enjoy rope purely for its look and craft.
Consent and safety
Learn before you try: classes, books and experienced, trusted people beat guesswork. Negotiate first, start gently, check in often, agree how to stop, and plan aftercare. Nobody owes anyone any activity, ever. For meeting someone new, see our safety tips.
Related terms
Learn more
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General education for adults 18+, not medical or legal advice. Definitions vary between communities; when in doubt, ask your partner what a word means to them.