Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bondage and Erotic Macram

by Lee Harrington

Japanese rope bondage and erotic macrame look complicated and intimidating, but you can learn the basics of this beautiful and sexy art form today. Bondage artist and educator Lee Bridgett Harrington takes you step-by-step through a variety of concepts and ties, giving you the tools to make aesthetically rewarding rope work. Each tutorial is broken down into easy to follow photographs by Circle23 with detailed descriptions, including how to tie all those knots (first secret of Japanese bondage revealed- there are only a few simple knots). From restrictive poses that limit movement to decorative rope work that accentuates the human form, Shibari You Can Use includes instruction on creating: - Shinju (Chest Harnesses) - Gyakuebi (Asian Style Hogtie) - Ebi or Kuri (Shrimp or Ball ties) - Rope Corsets - Strap-on Harnesses and Crotch Ropes - ...and much more! Shake off your fears of looking silly the first time you tie someone up, get some rope, and you too can learn Japanese rope bondage.

Genres: BDSM, Nonfiction, Sexuality, Reference, Erotica, Art, Research

156 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2007

About the author

Lee Harrington is an internationally known sexuality, relationships, and personal authenticity educator. Having taught in all 50 states and across 6 countries, he brings a combination of playful engagement and thoughtful academic dialogue to a broad audience. An award-winning author and editor on human gender, sexual, and sacred experience, his books include “Traversing Gender: Understanding Transgender Journeys,” “Sacred Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond,” and “Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bondage and Erotic Macramé,” among many other titles. He has been blogging online since 1998, and been teaching worldwide since 2001. You can check out Lee’s adventures, as well as his regular podcast, tour schedule, free essays, videos, and more, over at http://www.PassionAndSoul.com.

Reviews

[Sheherazahde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and funny. Lots of pictures. Male and female models. At least one BBW model. I love the way the first step of every tie is "Identify the body part to be tied" with a picture of a hand pointing at the body part.

[Ercan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have practiced some techniques with my model. Great tips make it easier to do the rigging straight.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Great Great resource on doing basic ties. And even a bit of complex ones. I'm really glad I purchased this book.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photography and well-written directions.

[Heather W Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me and I am grateful for their advice.

Richly illustrated with diverse bodies, the instructions in the book cover basic ties. After the introductory information about selecting the rope that's right for you, there are chapters devoted to each of one-column ties, two-column ties, and chest harnesses. From there, it has a chapter about combinations, one about "Rope Corsets and Erotic Macrame", and one about crotch ropes.

Photos feel instructional rather than prurient to me. Models often seem to be playing with the camera, with exaggerated "seriously?" looks while the author points to a topless woman's breasts in the "identify chest" photo or the man peeking coquettishly from behind bound wrists. Overall, the models seem to be having fun rather than engaging in performative sexuality.

This is not a book without sexual content, but it's also not a book that pushes it as being The Point Of It All. There are instructions for constructing a rope harness that will allow one to wear a dildo, for example, and a photo of a person simulating fellatio on a dildo worn in that way. There's discussion of how to tie a crotch rope to expose sexual anatomy, though the photos use a crotch covered by an abbreviated pair of shorts for the demonstration.

For me, the bottom line is that I don't want a lot of sex in my bondage, and this book made me feel like sex was optional. Photos suggested that one could laugh with one's partner or share intimacy that didn't necessarily involve genital contact. I feel invited to play with rope with my partner, and the instructions are clear enough to follow. While I'm sure it's not for everybody, this was an excellent book for my needs.

[inactive · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised how few people have reviewed this book! I've read/tried to read quite a few books one way or another related to kink, and this one is my favourite. A lot of the time I have urges to put down an otherwise good book due to its lack of inclusive language re: gender (as a nonbinary transgender person it can give me bad dysphoria to see certain body parts labeled as "female" or "male", etc.) - this book is by far the most gender diversity inclusive I've come across in the kink community.

It's beginner-friendly and approachable. Harrington writes in a very encouraging manner. Kink-curious people could easily pick this up - there is no gatekeeping.

The instructions are easy to follow & the author is big on safety-first. It's a lovely read and a good manual.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative and I love the way the rigger points out every step.

Even the little tidbits here and there are pretty good.

My fiancè ordered these books years ago and I just sat down to actually read them and not just skim through it looking at the pictures.

Haven't tried any out yet besides one, because I don't have my rope bag with me at the moment, but I'm sure when I do get my shibari kit, it'll be easy to follow and tie along too.

[Sami Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a beginner reading through this book, it has taught me the basics, safety, communication tips, and has given me inspiration. I will be referring to this book while practicing the ties I’ve learned about. I can’t wait to read the next book he has written. I haven’t mastered any of these ties since this is the beginning of my journey, but this is one to keep on hand for beginners.

[Charles Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly disappointing

I hoped to find instruction on hishi karada (full body harness), but there are none. The ties that are shown are well explained and there is lots of important safety and care advice throughout the book as well.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

This book is an absolute must read for getting your foundations down and also exploring some ideas that you haven’t tried before. Absolutely recommend this for beginners. This book help me become more confident in my rope skills.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best!

[Baroness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read.

[Kenny]

Great book with actually useful pictures. Historically I've had problems match next steps but this one steps you through VERY easily. Suggest using hemp rope for better gripping.

[Maisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book for those starting out their journey into shibari. It outlines scene negotiations, the psychology of Shibari, key safety points, etc. However, I feel that there is a lack of advanced ties in this book, so it’s not the best for experienced riggers.