Japanese style bondage (aka shibari or kinbaku) might seem complex, but it is easily learned using my methods. Whilst there are some theoretical topics, the bondage classes are very much hands-on. The emphasis of the tuition will be on learning by practicing on each other. I have developed a methodology for teaching bondage to simplify and accelerate the learning process, whilst encouraging your own style and creativity.
Many people think learning shibari requires an extensive knowledge of knots. In fact, there a only a few basic knots used in Japanese bondage. Once a few simple standard ties have been mastered, these can quickly be used to build up more complex ties, the only limit being your imagination. I am constantly amazed how quickly students produce very professional looking work. You will learn not only how to create a beautiful result, but also how to maximize the erotic potential. There is much more to kinbaku than simply a means of restraint, it has the power to create a very intense form of communication, as can be seen here. It is as much about what you do as how you do it. This is not something that cannot easily be learned through books or the internet. In my classes, I explain the nuances, distilled from well over a thousand of sessions, that turn it into a passionate 'dance with rope'.
However, bondage is like many things, if you don't know what you are doing people can get hurt. It is very important to know how to tie safely and how to avoid accidents. This is a subject I take very seriously and cover in all lessons.
Book early to avoid disappointment as many courses are fully booked several weeks in advance.
See 'Getting there & parking' in the FAQ's below for venue location. Courses are open to all over the age of 18...but if you are under 18, you shouldn't be on this site anyway!
Why take a class from me?
So you may ask, why should you pay me to teach you? Why not learn it from a book? A book will teach you knots and the mechanics of the ties. Whilst this is important, for me, it is only a small part of what bondage is about. What is important is how it makes your partner feel as you apply those ropes. I think this can only be taught by example, ideally in a hands-on situation. Books teach wrapping parcels, I teach tying people. In fact, my new DVD series, Japanese Rope Bondage, bears the subtitle: Bondage for people, not parcels. It is unique in not only teaching authentic shibari techniques but also how to create the communication that makes it kinbaku. Click here for details.
Why me? After all, there are bondage teachers popping up everywhere, each claiming to be a master. So how do you chose?
First off, look for evidence of skill in the style you are looking to learn. If somebody is good enough to teach, their work should be good enough to post on-line for all to see; not just a couple of pictures, look for a solid body of evidence. Ideally, you should also see them work live or on video, as almost anyone with basic skills, given sufficient time, can make a tie look good in a studio picture or two. Take a look at my main site for 1,000's pictures of my work, plus a few videos and details of forthcoming shows. Over the years, I have performed at dozens of venues worldwide, including some of largest fetish events, e.g. Torture Garden (London/Athens), Toubaku (Tokyo), Wasteland (Amsterdam), Nuit Demonia (Paris), Rubber Ball (London). All the shows, classes and private sessions must add up to well over 1,000 sessions! In addition, my work has appeared on national TV, music videos (Wolfmen, Tianamen and Big Pink), plus many publications, e.g. LOVE, Vogue Italia, .Cent, Sang Bleu, Wallpaper.
Ask around, as we can all create an impressive web site, and find out what others say. Preferably those qualified to judge, in other words, experts and students. Could the person teach? Did they learn anything useful? See if there are any reviews of the classes or courses. Time Out list my classes as 'Recommended' and there are great write ups in Metro and Skin Two. I have taught many hundreds of students over the past five years at home and abroad, a few of their comments are reproduced below.
What pedigree does the teacher's knowledge have? Did they learn it from the internet? From books? Made it up as they went along? As for me, I have been studying Japanese bondage (aka shibari or kinbaku) for nearly a decade and my love of bondage stems back to my childhood. My first tuition was from Midori and since then my influences have included Matthias Grimme aka Drachenmann, Kazayu, Nawashi Murakawa and, of course, many of the Japanese grand masters. Over the past six years, I have been to Japan to take tuition from three of their top artists, Arisue Go, Kinoko Hajime and Osada Steve. In addition, I have spent time with watching their shows, observing their teaching and just hanging out playing around with rope. It has also been my great pleasure to meet the members of Kinoko's Ichinawa-kai group and Kazami Ranki.
