23 Terms to Know Before You Pick Up a Shibari Rope
Foundations for the Curious, the Nervous, and the Shibari Rope-Ready
Rope bondage (aka Shibari) can be beautiful, intimate, intense, or just plain fun—but jumping into the rope world for the first time? Yeah, that can feel a little intimidating. You might hear terms like shibari, suspension, or nawashi being tossed around and wonder, “Am I already behind?” Trust us, you’re not, and we’re here to help you feel confident and excited to dive in.
The truth is, every rigger and rope bottom was once brand new too.
Think of this blog as your go-to beginner glossary! We’ll quickly cover all the introductory terms you’ll hear in the rope bondage world and even throw in a few tips for putting them into practice. This list isn’t everything, but it’s the perfect starting point to help you feel confident, learn, and apply your new knowledge with ease. Tune in and let’s get to it!
Table of content
🎭 People & Roles
- Rigger: The person doing the tying. You might also hear “top” used in this role.
- Rope Bottom: The person being tied. Some prefer “rope bunny” or simply “bottom.”
- Switch: Someone who enjoys both tying and being tied—sometimes in the same scene.
- Nawashi (縄師): A Japanese term for a rope artist or expert. Often used with respect in traditional rope communities.
🍊 Tip: These roles are about energy exchange and consent—not gender, power, or relationship status. Ask your partner what role terms feel good to them!
🪢 Rope & Technique Basics
- Bight: The folded loop in the middle of the rope. This is often where you begin tying.
- Working End: The part of the rope you’re actively using during a tie.
- Standing End: The anchored or static end of the rope.
- Single Column Tie: A foundational tie consisting of a stable loop around one body part or object, like a wrist or ankle,
- Double Column Tie: Used to create a secure loop that holds two body parts or objects together—like wrists or ankles—while keeping them safely spaced and stable.
🍊 Tip: Practice your column ties on everyday objects (like a rolled-up towel or your leg) to build muscle memory.
🔐 Consent, Safety & Communication
- Negotiation: The conversation you have before rope play. You’ll discuss boundaries, intentions, comfort levels, and safety needs. Once consent is given stick to the plan. Trying to add more in the middle of a scene can lead to confusion and safety concerns.
- Consent: In shibari—and all BDSM—consent must be clear, informed, ongoing, and cognizant for both parties.
- Safeword: A pre-agreed word or signal that stops or slows play instantly. Common safewords: red (stop), yellow(pause or adjust or ease up).
- Check-ins: Quick emotional or physical touches during or after play to make sure everyone’s okay.
- Safety Shears: Rope scissors with blunt tips used to cut someone out of rope quickly in an emergency.
🍊 Tip: Order from Lovey subby and enjoy stress free play with our emergency cut replacement policy!
🇯🇵 Nawa & Japanese Rope Influence
- Shibari (縛り): A Japanese word meaning "to tie." In Western rope spaces, it's used to describe the aesthetic or artistic side of rope bondage.
- Kinbaku (緊縛): Translates to “tight binding.” More emotional, erotic, and intense than decorative shibari.
- Gote / Takate Kote: A traditional hands-behind-back box tie, often seen in shibari performances or photos.
- Tsuri (吊り): Suspension bondage—lifting the body with rope. Absolutely not for beginners, but important to know as you explore.
- Nawa (縄): A Japanese word meaning "rope." In rope bondage, it's often used to refer not just to the rope itself, but also to the practice and tradition of Japanese-style rope play.
🍊 Tip: Hanging from the rafters isn’t the only way to find the magic of rope bondage—floor ties hold an intimate kind of beauty and connection all their own.
🚨 Risks to Be Aware Of
- Nerve Compression: When rope presses on a nerve and causes numbness or tingling. Learn rope placement before tying yourself or others.
- Circulation Issues: Hands or feet turning cold or blue? Time to untie!
- Rope Burn: Friction can hurt—go slow and smooth when tying and untying. Try our Booty Balm to soothe skin and be ready to play again!
- Drop: A physical or emotional crash after an intense scene, for either partner. Aftercare helps ease this.
🍊 Tip: For detailed info on nerve risks and placement maps, visit TheDuchy.com—a top resource for rope safety.
💕 You’re Not an Outsider
Here’s something we want you to hear loud and clear: You don’t need perfect knots, fluent Japanese, or a fancy suspension rig to belong here. More importantly, you don’t need to know everything to get started in Shibari.
This space is built on care, curiosity, and connection—and you’re already holding the most important thread, you!
You’re allowed to be new. You’re allowed to ask questions. And you’re absolutely allowed to grow.
🔮 What’s Next?
In our next post, we’ll walk you through how to choose your first rope and what to include in your shibari starter kit—from safety shears to soothing lotion (yes, we’ll tell you all about our Booty Balm), to building a beginner-friendly aftercare setup.
You don’t need a dungeon or a certification to get started—just the right tools, a little guidance, and a lot of care.
