A Weekend in Yukimura Style with Ibarako Harumayu

Studio Yukari is honoured to have invited Ibarako Harumayu, licensed Yukimura style instructor based in Tokyo, for a series of events focusing on the fundamental principles and spirit of Yukimura style. 

About Yukimura Style and Ibarako Harumayu

Yukimura style was created by Haruki Yukimura who developed his own unique approach to Kinkaku. Although he passed away in 2016, his legacy lives on through kinbakushi who continue to practise and share his teachings. Ibarako Harumayu, an official instructor certified by Yukimura himself, is among the few who studied under him the longest.

Ibarako-san was first introduced to Kinbaku in 1998 while attending an art-focused vocational school. She initially studied under Eizo Chiba, but after encountering the work of Haruki Yukimura, she felt a deep calling to learn from him and became his student. As her studies with Yukimura progressed, she came to deeply understand and embrace his philosophy and principles. During this time, she also served as his assistant and worked as a video director.

Later, Ibarako-san was granted the name "Harumayu" by Haruki Yukimura and officially recognised as an instructor of Yukimura style. Today, she leads performances / shows centred on Yukimura style rope play under the title "Nawa Yuugi" ("Rope Play"). She also works as a rope artist for adult videos, provides illustration support for projects such as the manga Nana to Kaoru, and offers kinbaku direction and supervision for films and music videos. 

Schedule

・Friday 10th October 2025 l 1900-2200 l Performance Night

・Saturday - Sunday 11-12th October 2025 l 1100-1800 l Weekend Workshop 

Ibarako san will also be available for private tuition during her stay in London. Please contact her by filling out this FORM.

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Performance Night
Friday 10th October 2025 l 1900-2200 (Doors open at 1830, close at 1900) 

Join us for an intimate evening featuring two performances by Ibarako Harumayu, each showcasing a different model and capturing the essence of Yukimura style. Following the performances, Ibarako san will share insights from her journey and practice in Shibari. The evening will conclude with a talk session and open discussion on Yukimura style, facilitated by Naoko. 

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Weekend Workshop
Saturday - Sunday 11-12th October 2025 l 1100-1800 (Doors open at 1030, close at 1100)

Over the course of both days, the workshop will follow a structured format: a demonstration will be given, followed by a theoretical explanation, and then students will engage in hands-on practice. The practical content will differ between Day 1 and Day 2.

During the practice, students are expected to follow Ibarako san’s instructions precisely as taught — including how to pass the rope, tie knots, and execute ties. Even slight deviations may result in improper rope tension. 

Please note that the interpreter will translate only what Ibarako and the students say. If you have any questions, please address them directly to Ibarako.

Day 1

To learn the communicative aspects of the Yukimura style, the following points will be explained:

・Understanding that tying is more than just physical restraint—it is a means of expressing emotion and narrative.

・Gaining insight into the uniquely Japanese cultural background of Yukimura-ryu and understanding why it involves little to no suspension.

・Learning how to apply Yukimura-style communication while observing the partner’s characteristics and state.

Practical Session

Participants will experience and learn a sequence that encapsulates the essence of Yukimura-style communication.

On Day 1, the progression from a basic Gote (hands tied behind the back) to legs closed → legs open will be taught.

In addition, the following points will be covered:

・Facing the Heart: Learn how the person tying communicates finality and surrender through a hug from behind, conveying—via the tie—that the receiver is in a state of total surrender and cannot resist.

・Flow of the Tie: Learn how to develop the tie by observing the partner’s movements and sensing the proper timing and distance.

・Aftercare and Feedback: Understand how the partner felt through feedback after the session, and use that insight to refine future practice.

Day 2

Through the Yukimura style of Kinbaku, participants will explore how to build deeper communication between the person tying and the person being tied.

Rather than asking the partner “What do you want me to do?”, the focus is on facing the partner with an open heart, expressing one’s own emotions and intentions clearly. This is emphasized as a vital step toward developing trust and mutual understanding.

The foundational approach is the same as Day 1, but Day 2 also explores how to confront one’s own desires and give them form through the act of tying.

Practical Session

Participants will learn the progression of the kemono (beast) tie. Starting from a maete (hands in front) position, the session will progress through legs closed to the kemono tie.

As with Day 1, it is crucial to convey emotion through the rope. Technical precision is considered secondary to the emotional connection carried in the tying.

Participants will also learn that, in addition to expressing intent through the rope, it is equally important to verbalize feelings and intentions to the partner during the session.

What to Bring / Recommended Items

What to Bring:

Rope: We generally use rope that is 4.5mm thick and 8 meters long. The reason for this specific size will be explained during the workshop. Please bring at least four ropes.

Recommended Items:

Clothing: Comfortable, easy-to-move-in clothing is sufficient.

For the person tying: Clothing that allows for ease of movement and the ability to open the legs comfortably.

For the person being tied: Similarly, wear clothing that allows freedom of movement. Wearing underwear is fine, but please note that bras with underwires can become painful when compressed by the rope. We recommend wearing a non-wired bra instead.

※ In Japan, during Yukimura-ryu lessons, the person being tied usually wears a juban (traditional undergarment) or yukata (cotton kimono), and part of the training includes learning how to handle these garments with appropriate etiquette. 

Enquiries: contact@studioyukari.com