LB Shibari Dojo
A 4,000-square-foot warehouse dojo in Long Beach that runs a monthly cycle of 100- to 300-level classes, a bottoming-focused class and two monthly rope jams. The space is open only for scheduled events.
LB Shibari Dojo calls itself a working art studio, not a nightclub. It is a 4,000-square-foot venue in Long Beach that opens only for scheduled classes and events, and it sends the address with each event invitation. Its stated mission is to help the local rope community grow. It welcomes newcomers and experienced tiers alike, and says it is inclusive of different relationship structures, gender identities and sexual orientations.
People. The dojo’s instructors page lists two co-owners, Kodai-Artist and Crisy. Both describe a background in the “old leather” scene and about 16 years in rope. Crisy is also a rigger and self-suspender. Kodai-Artist names DonSir, Amy Morgan and Zetsu as his teachers and says he favors aibunawa. Two newer instructors are listed:
- Somatic_Syn, who names Kodai-Artist and Hajime Kinoko as teachers
- MochaDude
Classes. The program repeats every month:
- 101, a beginner class with a rotating curriculum (101A, B and C). Each session covers three ties plus safety, negotiation, consent and partner communication.
- 200, an intermediate class that builds on 101 with new material each time.
- 300, a partial suspension class. It requires more than six months of tying and the student’s own rope (a partner is strongly recommended), and the ability to tie a chest harness and single- and double-column ties.
- “Like Getting All Tied Up”, a monthly class taught by experienced rope bottoms, with stretching and worksheets.
- A monthly rope lab for people who practice self-tying and self-suspension.
A Sunday daytime rope jam, open to all levels, takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month. A further 300-level course is listed as under construction.
House rules. The dojo lists six values, among them integrity over image, consent and responsibility, and mentorship. It encourages formal negotiation before tying someone new and publishes sample forms. Anything not agreed in advance counts as a no. Before suspending at the studio, a tier must be vetted by an experienced rope artist, which includes tying a 50-pound stone the dojo calls the Ishi Rock. MasterKush Kinbaku has also held a class there (February 2024).