LA Rope offers a wide range of workshops on a variety of topics related to Japanese Erotic Rope Bondage.
Satsueikai (Photo Shoot)
Satsueikai is a meeting of photographers who come together to shoot the work of a single bakushi and model. The workshops are 4 hours in length and usually feature 6-8 different ties or poses. Photographers are given a period of free or open shooting, followed by a short period of one on one interaction with the model.
The History of Japanese Erotic Rope Bondage: Key Figures from the Golden Age of Japanese SM
This class chronicles the explosion of SM in Japan following the second world war through the story of five key figures in the history of kinbaku: Itoh Seui, Minomura Kou, Tsujimura Takeshi, Osada Eikechi, and Oniroku Dan.
In exploring each of these key figures, we will examine how kinbaku influenced and was influenced by art, publishing, stage performance, literature and film.
Presentation and Lecture: 90 Minutes. Includes displays of art and literature
A Photographic History of Kinbaku
This class examines the evolution of the art of kinbaku as told through the medium of erotic photography. From the inception of erotic kinbaku with Itoh Seiu to the publication of Minomura Kou’s book Beautifully Bound to works of masters such as Sugiura Norio, Akio Fuji, Tanaka Kenichi, and Oki Mas, we will examine how photographic representation has shaped the development of the art, its public reception, and the transformation of kinbaku in the Showa and Hesei periods.
Presentation and Lecture: 90 Minutes
Introduction to Yukimura Ryu: Aibu Nawa (愛撫縄)
Aibu Nawa is the term used to describe the “caressing style” of Yukimura ryuu. As a school of kinbaku that focuses primarily on communication between partners, Yukimura ryuu explores the ways that rope can be used as a medium for that communication and how it can be an effective tool for creating emotional and psychological connections between partners.
This class focuses on three basic elements of Yukimura Ryu: the basic wrist tie, the 1 and 2 rope gote, and basic leg ties. We will introduce several basic kata or progressions that help understand how to build a rope scene and create a deeper connection between partners.
Workshop: 3 hours
Intermediate Yukimura Ryu: Aibu Nawa II (愛撫縄)
Aibu Nawa 2 is an intermediate class in Yukimura Haruki’s unique style of kinbaku (aibu nawa). We begin with a quick refresher on two fundamental ties, the Yukimura wrist tie and his gote, before proceeding to learning a series of four different patterns or kata, eventually building to a single progression which moves from a basic wrist tie to a beautiful partial suspension.
The class will also explore several of the more complex areas of Yukimura’s caressing style including body position, use of hard points, body manipulation, psychological aspects of tying, and use of touch in building rope scenes.
Students should have some experience with Yukimura’s basic ties (as studied in Aibu Nawa 1) or schedule a private lesson prior to the class.
Workshop: 3 hours
Kinbaku 101
Kinbaku 101 is an intensive seminar designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of kinbaku. We cover basics, including types of rope and safety as well as a series of hands on ties, providing a set of skills that will allow students to construct a full rope scene with the partner using authentic and safe Japanese shibari.
The class will combine the psychological and emotional elements of connection and communication, in addition to providing hands on instruction.
We will cover basic hand ties, the Japanese box tie (takate kote), legs ties, and how to put them all together to allow students to create a number of different rope scenes using kinbaku findamentals.
Workshop: 3 Hours
Partial Suspensions
Halfway between groundwork and suspension is one of the more interesting forms of kinbaku, the “partial” suspension. In this style of kinbaku, we utilize a hard point to lift of suspend a part of the body to add tension, stress, intensity or drama to a tie. The most classic form of this tie, the kataashizuri or “one leg raised suspension,” will be the focus of the first portion of the class. We will go over 3 different versions of this tie, show how each approach creates different effects and responses. The second half of the workshop will delve into the use of hard points and tensions to create partial suspensions for predicaments and for adding both safety and security to your ties.
Workshop: 3 Hours
Building a Great Rope Scene
Much shibari instruction focuses on technique or instruction, usually limited to single ties or transitions between them. In this class, we will walk through the basics of how to construct a rope scene from before the ropes go on to after they come off.
One of the most powerful aspects of kinbaku is the ability to create layers of intensity, allowing the bottom to build up a natural flow of endorphins and adrenaline, allowing the scene to reach deeper levels. We will discuss the process of building your scene, bringing the various elements together, and the psychology of a rope scene, including connection, communication, distance, and pacing.
A great rope scene is more than the sum of its parts. Join us for a discussion of some of the tips and techniques that can help you think about connecting with your partner in new ways.
Workshop: 3 Hours
Creating Headspace for Rope Scenes: From the Sensual to the Sadistic
This class focuses on using rope to build a space for the bottom that combines the physical (the tie itself) with the psychological (headspace for both the top and bottom) to literally create a “rope headspace” constructed around feelings of mutual gratification, fantasy, pleasure and sensation.
We will examine the construction of rope headspace around three different ties: kaikyaku kani (open leg crab tie), ganji garame (full body, immobilizing tie), and ebizeme (the shrimp torture tie). In each case, we will examine the history of the tie, the various ways each can be used to build headspace for both the top and the bottom, how to tie each with various techniques of style and flow, the use of fantasy, distance, and observation to intensity the scene, methods of untying, and aftercare.
With each tie, we will examine not just the technique, but the philosophy behind the tie and its principles of construction, helping to understand why each tie has the effect it does, as well as how each tie can be modified for sensual, erotic, or sadistic impact.
With each piece of rope and with each tie, we will examine the physical, psychological, and emotional response to tying and how the combination of all three can become more than just the sum of their parts.
Workshop: 3 Hours
How To Do Things With Words
With a look, a word, or even by simply moving away, a rope top can dramatically change the energy of a scene, intensity or create a headspace, or deepen their connection with their partner. This class will focus on the use of words, touch, looks, and gesture to communicate intention and develop a deeper form of communication between you and your partner.
Known in Japan as “kotobazeme” or “word torment” this aspect of kinbaku and erotic play is almost never discussed in the West.
While critical to the styles of bakushi such as Yukimura Haruki and Nagare Aotsuki, there is very little written on the topic outside of Japan.
In this class we will explore how words, looks, sounds, and touch can all be used to help construct more meaningful ties and how each can serve as an additional layer of communication between partners.
Workshop: 2 Hours
Humiliation Ties: Kinbaku for Shame and Pleasure “Humiliation, Shame, and Embarrassment in Rope”
So often we focus on the physical aspects of kinbaku, while paying less attention to profound and intense psychological effects our ties may have. In this class, we explore the fundamentals of Shūchi nawa or “shame rope.” Ties that create feelings of exposure and helplessness can also be used to explore areas of shame, embarrassment, and humiliation.
We will discuss the foundations of shame-based play in Japan and in the US, exploring some of the crucial differences as well as some of the points of similarity.
The class will provide hands-on examples of two “exposure” ties as well as outline techniques for creating a headspace that will allow your ties to have stronger psychological impact.
Workshop: 2 Hours
Predicament Ties
For creative rope tops there is no greater thrill than constructing a tie that leaves their bottom with a choice between two (or more) options, both of which challenge them physically or psychologically. Relieving discomfort in one area creates discomfort in another.
In this class, we will examine some classic kinbaku predicament ties and explore how the body creates natural points of tension that can be exploited for maximum effect and how you can construct your ties to take full advantage of this dynamic.
Predicament ties can be simple or complicated. Our focus will be on constructing ties which are safe, but take advantage of the power of predicaments to transform your ties and scenes into something incredible.
Workshop: 2 Hours
Diamonds Are a Bottom’s Best Friend: Hishi Ties
The hishi or diamond pattern is an important element in kinbaku. In this class we will trace its history back to some early hojojutsu ties before discussing how the diamond pattern was modified for effective kinbaku.
In this class we will discuss how hishi patterns can be used as a basic pattern for body harnesses as well as how you can use hishi patterns to add decorative elements to other ties. Breaking down the actual pattern to understand what it is doing, how it affects the sensations of the tie, and how it creates a unique aesthetic will provide some insight into why this is a very popular pattern for kinbaku.
Workshop: 2 Hours
Showa Me Something New “3 chest ties from the 1970s and 1980s”
Most Japanese bondage classes start people off with the traditional box tie or takate kote. While that is an essential building block for many advanced techniques and, especially, suspensions, there is also a long tradition of other kinds of chest ties that serve different functions.
As rope evolved during the Showa era (1926-1989), people were experimenting with a vast array of different ties, techniques, and purposes. In this class, we will briefly explore the functions and aesthetics of Showa style rope (as contrasted with more modern styles and techniques) before teaching three gotes (hands behind the back ties) that you may have not seen before.
We will tap into the vaults of the old SM magazines and their “how to” sections to explore works of some important figures in the development of kinbaku who are not widely known in the west.
We look at the ties of Nobuyuki Sanada, Roppongi Karou, and Eikichi Osada.
Workshop: 2 Hours
Bondage for One: The history and practice of self bondage in kinbaku
Self-bondage or what is often called “self-locking” in Japan has been around as long as kinbaku itself. Many of the early Japanese bondage magazines, such as Kitan Club, contained articles, descriptions, and how-to sections on effective self bondage techniques.
For those who love feeling tied, but don’t always have a partner to help them, this class will provide some fun, safe, effective, and often clever techniques for self-bondage.
Bring some rope and your imagination. For this class you don’t even need a partner!
Note: this is not a self suspension class.
Workshop: 2 Hours
Kinbaku From the Neck Up
Playing with the face is an important element of kinbaku in Japan. In this class we will break down the elements of face play (gags, blindfolds, and nose play) by exploring both the physical techniques of this kind of play as well as the psychological effects.
We will discuss important elements of psychological and physical safety, different tools and techniques for face play, and the aesthetics of facial bondage.
This class will blend demonstration and hands on learning, so bring your toys and someone to tie or tie with.
Workshop: 2 Hours