Ichinawa Tango

What Is Ichinawa

?

There’s a form of bondage called Ichinawa, which in Japanese means one rope. Ichinawa is about the connection between Dom and sub using that one length of rope. The translation is a little loose unlike the rope and the single rope is a misnomer in my opinion as once joined two become one.

I was taught Ichinawa at my very first rope class. The form I use is very different from what I was shown but essentially it is the same tie in a different form.

I was taught to cradle my partner (bunny) and wrap them with the rope, randomly, keeping tension on the rope and only to use hitches when changing direction, this was a very sensual and relaxing tie and when released the bunny’s were usually in a very relaxed, almost sleepy condition.

Basically, Ichinawa is about the connection between the bunny and the rigger.

My Ichinawa reflects my style of tying, I do not follow any set style or teaching, and my rope reflects this. I like pretty rope, nice flowing rope chaotic rope but also, I am a sadist (as many will attest) and my Ichinawa reflects this.

My version is like a dance, I move around the bunny, sometimes I tie from the front sometimes the back, I look into their eyes or I cover them, removing that sense, I even do this to myself, relying solely on the trust and connection I have with my partner to guide me.

The connection formed during this binding is like no other; it is better than sex in many ways as it is not just a physical reaction it is emotional and spiritual as well as almost magical in its ability to increase the connection and flow of energy between rigger and partner.

I wind the rope (I use 4mm Palm tree coir, nasty scratchy, they love it) about them, pulling them, pushing them, punching the rope (this is when you pull the rope as it rounds part of the body) all the time moving them, holding them, cradling them in my arms, sometimes uniting and retying but keeping up the tensions. Upon releasing part of the rope I will discard some and retie with the other – taking them down or pulling them to me as we dance around on mats. Finally releasing them and cradling them in my arms as a lover would.

In this tie, I fall in love even if only for the duration of the tie, I dance a tango of rope and entwine them with my own particular magic.

Others have their version but this is mine, the Ichinawa Tango.