Hojojutsu: Classical Rope-Arresting Art & Its Aesthetic Influence on Modern Kinbaku

Hojojutsu/Torinawajutsu (捕縄術 'Arresting Rope Art') refers to the classical Japanese martial art of binding prisoners with a length of rope, often in ways that were both brutally effective and visually beautiful. Its aesthetic influence on the modern art of Shibari/Kinbaku (Japanese-style erotic rope bondage) is profound. Please join us for a 3-hour workshop that will feature:

• An extensive slide-show driven lecture on Hojojutsu & its history
• Demonstrations of classical technique such as Haya-Nawa ('Fast Rope')
• Instruction in several Hojojutsu-style shibari ties that dramatically evoke the classic Hojojutsu aesthetic

Jonathan will draw on his academic background in Japanese history, decades of personal experience in classical martial arts practice (including Hojojutsu), and private collection of Hojojutsu-related materials to illuminate a fascinating aspect of Japanese rope history and dispel common misconceptions regarding the relationship between the two arts.

We'll examine also anatomy & safety issues associated with rope bondage, and discuss the important issues of consent & negotiation.

This workshop is appropriate for all genders, sexual orientations, and body types!

Please wear clothing suitable for tying and being tied in. No nudity, please.

Prerequisites: Tying Participants should be able to easily and reliably tie a secure, non-collapsing single-column tie iaround the wrists in a timely and accurate fashion and be familiar and confident with with basic rope bondage ties such as a basic chest harness and a 2-rope TK/gote shibari. You should feel comfortable communicating about rope tightness or discomfort with your partner.

People being tied will need to comfortable with their hands tied behind their back.

Please bring:

(3) 8-meter lengths of soft rope, about 6mm (1/4") in diameter

(2) 4-meter lengths of soft rope, about 6mm (1/4") in diameter

Need Some Rope?

We have high-quality jute bondage rope for sale that can be delivered to you at start of the workshop. Please contact us for details.

This workshop will be limited to 8 tying pairs. Due to the limited size, early registration is recommended. No refunds or credit will be issued within 7 days of the event.

Please note that proof of vaccination is required to attend this event. You will show proof to Jonathan or Sappho during check-in before the start of the workshop.

About the Educators:

International rope artist Jonathan Ryan (Seattle Shibari) performs on stage, ties for photoshoots, and teaches the art of Japanese-style rope bondage. Jonathan has taught numerous sold-out workshops, and teaches & performs internationally. He holds a high-level teaching license awarded to him by his teacher Kinoko Hajime of Tokyo, Japan, and works to spread appreciation for this beautiful art via his website Seattle Shibari.

Sappho is an unabashed lover of rope who brings expertise in Latin dance forms and a spirit of sensual inquiry to her kinbaku. She and Jonathan have taught & performed together for several years in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Sappho combines a methodical analysis of physical movement with a deep knowledge of neuro-anatomy in her approach to rope bottoming, and loves to share this knowledge with others.Together with Jonathan, she directs activities at the Portland Shibari Salon.