Bakushi

Bakushi is a Japanese term for a person who specialises in the art of rope bondage, especially in the context of shibari and rope bondage. It is often translated as “bondage master”, but it more accurately refers to someone with technical skill, aesthetic understanding and responsibility for safety.

In BDSM and shibari contexts, a bakushi stands not only for creativity but also for knowledge of anatomy, risks and communication. Good rope work requires clear agreements, trust and safe handling of pressure points, blood flow and breathing. The term therefore describes competence more than just a role.