Naoko Masterclass: One Body One Gote – Adapting Gote Shibari to Different Bodies

Gote Shibari is one of the most iconic and foundational ties in Japanese rope bondage. In group workshops, especially for beginner and intermediate students, it is often taught as a fixed form. This helps students focus on learning essential technical components. While this approach is valuable for building solid rope techniques, it often leaves little space for exploring and understanding how to adapt the tie to different people. Personalising the Gote is a nuanced practice that requires experience, observation and deeper insight, which is difficult to explore in a typical group setting.

Naoko believes that no two Gotes are never the same. Whether you are tying someone for the first time or the hundredth, every tie should be responsive to the person in front of you – how they feel on that day, their body, their energy, the conversation you are having in rope, and the space you are sharing. The Gote, in her view, is not a “one-size-fits-all” form but an evolving, living expression of connection.

Adapting Gote Shibari

In this workshop, Naoko will present Gote Shibari as a customisable form through a series of live demonstrations (up to three, time permitting). For each demonstration, she will tie with a different person who has a distinct physique, flexibility and personal preferences. Before tying, Naoko will begin with an open conversation with the person being tied to understand their preferences, needs and context of the tie. She will then tie the Gote specifically for them, adjusting elements as needed while talking through the reasons behind her decisions. In some cases, she may tie more the once to show variations or different approaches. After each demonstration, Naoko and the person being tied will share a debrief to reflect on their experience.

Throughout the class, Naoko will talk through her thought process, sharing insights into how she balances techniques, aesthetics and feelings. She will demonstrate using the technical form of Naka style of Gote as the foundation.

Topics include

– Adapting to different body types (height, weight, muscle, fat, bone structure)
– Navigating flexibility, past injuries and physical limitations
– How tying different bodies have an impact on time, pacing, number of ropes and the overall energy in a session
– Understanding what sensations or experiences the person enjoys in Gote Shibari
– Aesthetic choices based on body proportions – how to tie in a way that honours and highlights the unique beauty of the person being tied
– Finding harmony between safety, structure and emotional connection

Naoko’s approach

This class focuses on individuality. Instead of relying on formulas for specific body types, Naoko encourages a holistic and responsive approach. She avoids placing people into fixed categories like “flexible” or “inflexible” and applying standard techniques based on those labels. Rather, she invites students to consider the full context of the person they are tying, including their body, emotions, preferences, and the interaction at that moment. The goal is not to follow a set method, but to develop awareness and sensitivity in order to create an experience that truly suits the individual.