Week 24 of 52 : Underarm Cinch in a Gote Shibari
In week twenty-four of our #kinbaku52 project we'll zoom in on an underarm cinch.
One of the distinctive features of a gote shibari are the wraps above and below the breasts which are then given additional structure and security by two or four cinches under the arms. We typically omit the upper cinch as Judy finds the tie more comfortable without it. But, please note there may sometimes be very good reasons for needing it, so always make sure you get some training from a professional.
Our photo this week, above, is from an Old Style Gote, not that you can particularly tell from that close up angle. The photo below is closer to a typical Contemporary Gote.
If you're curious about the outfit, it's a sheer and very cheeky maid's apron that we reviewed here: Dreamgirl Sheer Lace French Maid Costume. It really is particularly naughty, and is almost transparent under softer, natural room lighting. I think the lace looks amazing against the rope.
As well as adding structure and securing the tie, the underarm cinch has the effect of drawing in the wraps so that it forms a more snug and intimate embrace.
This style of gote or box-tie is such a classic form that it's well worth putting in the effort to fine tune a method that really suits you as a couple. Take a look at our references below for some great resources.
References
We've linked to two of ShibariClasses gote tutorials below. We highly recommend them and you can feel confident that they'll get you off to a good start.
Approach "free" online tutorials with an element of caution and we'd suggest take a look at this demonstration by Esinem on Vimeo, Gote Shibari: Box Tie Tutorial by Esinem. Use that as a point of reference and steer clear of tutorials that appear radically different to this method, especially ones that look OK from the front and turn to an insane variant of spaghetti junction when seen from the rear!
Visit Esinem-Rope for a great selection of shibari supplies. The rope we use in most of our photography is 6mm Okinawa jute.
Next week we're looking at the sword hilt wrap, which is a technique that can be both functional and decorative... :-)
