Seattle Shibari Presents Hojojutsu x Shibari: Technique, Aesthetics, History
A Workshop by Jonathan & Sappho

From Battlefield to Boudoir: Hojojutsu x Shibari

Join us for an immersive 3-hour masterclass that bridges the gap between feudal history and modern sensation. Hojojutsu (捕縄術) is the storied Japanese martial art of the "Arresting Rope"—a discipline where restraint meets aesthetics. Once used in feudal Japan to bind prisoners with attention to their social status, its aesthetic soul lives on in the intricate modern patterns of Shibari.

What Awaits You:
You'll learn beautiful Shibari ties that capture the dramatic, commanding look of traditional Hojojutsu—reimagined for safety, connection, and modern play.

Live Martial Demonstrations: Jonathan & Sappho will demonstrate the speed and precision of Japan's classical arresting arts.

• Haya-Nawa: The "Quick-Arrest" technique
• Hon-Nawa: The formal "Presentation" ties used for high-status captives
• Watashi-Nawa: The mysterious "Dissolving Rope"

A Journey Through Time: this event will feature a curated visual lecture highlighting dozens of rare, historical images that trace the evolution of rope from a tool of the law to a medium of art.

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. Your ticket includes a custom 15' / 4mm Hayanawa Hojo cord, specifically crafted to help you continue your practice at home.

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

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 around 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. You should also be able to tie a hojo cuff. You should feel comfortable communicating about rope tightness or discomfort with your partner.

People being tied should feel comfortable with their hands tied behind their back. You should feel comfortable communicating about rope tightness or discomfort with your partner.

• (2) 26'-30' lengths of soft rope, about 6mm/1/4" in diameter
• (2) 13'-15' lengths of soft rope, about 6mm/1/4" in diameter

Need Rope? We have quality jute shibari rope available for sale that can be delivered to you at start of the workshop. Please contact us for details.

About the Educators:

International rope artist Jonathan Ryan (Seattle Shibari) performs on stage, ties for photoshoots, and teaches the art of Shibari worldwide. He has taught & performed for sold-out audiences in 15 countries and 24 cities, including Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Barcelona, London, Shanghai, Los Angeles, & many more. As an educator, he draws on 20 years of professional work in education, specializing in curriculum design and differentiating instruction for diverse learning styles.

Jonathan has been deeply involved in Japanese cultural arts for more than 40 years, and holds a high-level shibari instructor license awarded by his teacher Hajime Kinoko of Tokyo, Japan. Jonathan’s personal style of rope combines his knowledge of body movement principles, psychology, and rope art to create his distinctive style of tying. His website is SeattleShibari.com.

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 in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. 

As a physician specializing in neuro-anatomy, Sappho expertly combines her professional knowledge of the body with a dancer's awareness of physical movement. She is passionate about sharing this knowledge with others. Together with Jonathan, she directs activities at the Portland Shibari Salon.

For Jonathan & Sappho, rope is more than a beautiful & sensual art form; it is the invisible connection between two people made visible.

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Please note that that this is small curated event, and therefore no refunds or credit will be issued within 14 days of the event