ROPEMARKS RYŪ · TUTORIALS

Kinbaku Elements

Kinbaku Elements are smaller pieces of technical and practical information that can help build a rope session. They grew out of the earlier RopeMarks Artistic Rope Exchange (RARE) and are also used as companions to RopeMarks workshops and masterclasses.

After more than 25 years of studying and practising Japanese rope bondage, I have accumulated a lot of material. Rather than wait until a complete tutorial system exists, I am making the current Kinbaku Elements available here, together with selected RARE material for historical and archival interest.

KINBAKU ELEMENTS

Techniques and building blocks

Short video references covering rope handling, ties, attachments and practical details used throughout RopeMarks Ryū.

Single & double column tie | Kinbaku element

Double column tie | Kinbaku element

How to coil your rope – one of many ways

RopeMarks’ waitress variation | Kinbaku element

RopeMarks’ “hishi” crotchrope | Kinbaku element

Futomomo | Kinbaku element

Futomomo (diamond version) | Kinbaku element

RopeMarks’ takatekote | Kinbaku element

RopeMarks’ lower legs tie | Kinbaku element

Somerville bowline | Kinbaku element

Nawa zuri (“4TK”), Y-attachment | Kinbaku element

Nawa zuri (“4TK”), bamboo tie off | Kinbaku element

Avoiding the bight, “carabiner” | Kinbaku element

UPPER BODY TIES

Beyond a single gote pattern

Upper-body ties, especially a gote, are a fundamental part of kinbaku. A takatekote can take years to develop, and the underlying concepts matter more than simply reproducing one fixed pattern.

Rather than presenting one variation as the solution, the related material explores several approaches, including ushiro takatekote shibari, a stemmed gote, tengu shibari and bo shibari.

Gote grid

FROM THE ARCHIVE

RARE tutorials

These RopeMarks Artistic Rope Exchange tutorial videos were created more than 20 years ago. They are presented here as historical material and as a glimpse into how my rope and teaching have developed over time.

Ryo tekubi | RARE

Kotobu ryo tekubi | RARE

Ushiro takatekote | RARE

Ushiro tasuki | RARE

FROM VIDEO TO ROPE

Learn the material in context

Kinbaku Elements make the most sense when they sit inside a broader understanding of technique, communication and intent. Explore RopeMarks Ryū or join an upcoming workshop.