Kinbaku Salon Shibaraku / Shibaraku-shiki Kinbaku School (緊縛サロン 縛楽 / 緊縛教室 縛楽式)

Shibaraku is the umbrella name under which Takase Shinnosuke, a Tokyo bakushi, runs a salon, a rope school and an online shop for rope goods. The site is in Japanese only and gives no opening date; its footer reads 2021–2025.

The salon

Kinbaku Salon Shibaraku, on a fourth floor in Kabukichō, Shinjuku, is a meeting place for people who want to tie, be tied or simply learn about rope. Beginners, first-time visitors, observers and people who come alone are all welcome. It opens every evening except Tuesday, from mid-afternoon on weekends and holidays, and may close for private hire. Visitors must be 18 or older and ask before photographing anyone; nudity, open flames such as candles and pushing others into play are not allowed. As listed in November 2026, a day visit cost ¥3,000 and a monthly membership, open only to residents of Japan, ¥5,000.

The school

The school teaches Shibaraku-shiki, which its site describes as dialogue-based contemporary kinbaku built around hōbaku, an embracing, hug-like way of tying. Lessons are taught in small groups and start from basics for members of the public; a class manual and a glossary are listed as in preparation. The method site also publishes an essay series grouped under technique, interaction and culture, with entries in November 2026 on choosing rope, on agreeing a first meeting with a new partner and on the different kinds of kinbaku and why people practice them.

Events and safety

Takase’s profile lists a run of events under the Shibaraku name since 2019: shows that pair rope with music, light or magic, research meetings and study groups, a Saturday daytime salon that ran from 2019 to 2025, a rope sketching session, tea gatherings on kimono and rope, and an open-call photo exhibition on ushiro-te ties. Safety training recurs: in 2023 he ran a course on emergency response for avoiding rope accidents, and in 2025 a rope life-saving course.