Semenawa Cohorts
House of Knotty: Semenawa Cohorts
Semenawa (責め縄) is sometimes translated as “torture rope” and is often associated with an intense emphasis on pain. Those who are drawn to more extreme forms of sadomasochism may describe their rope practice as semenawa. Yet its essence is more nuanced than simply inflicting pain. Semenawa is not about hurting a partner for the sake of pain itself. Rather, it is about creating a framework within rope that invites surrender, suffering, endurance, vulnerability, and, at times, a profound sense of helplessness. In this sense, semenawa is as much a mental and emotional state as it is a physical experience. [Discovering Kinbaku by Zetsu Nawa, 56-59]
This rope series will look at using rope as a tool to create a semenawa vessel to our rope scenes. We will learn to tie a reverse tension gote causing our partner to feel captured, vulnerable, and exposed. We will study two different 3rd rope variations to create support to our gote for different types of suspension. Once we have a solid foundation of a suspendable gote, we will tie suspension uplines for bamboo hardpoints to create 4 different static shape suspensions: Merman, Kataashi, Agura, and Side M-Shape.
Each cohort will be 10 people (5 tying pairs). Rope tops must have the same tying partner for each class. This style of rope bondage and class curriculum comes with the highest levels of inherent risk. Each subsequent class builds on both the technical skills for the tops but also the soft skills for the bottoms. Semenawa suspensions are a collaborative process that requires knowledge, risk analysis, precision, and training on both sides of the slash.
The overarching theme for this series is NOT whimsical sustainability. It is about capture, surrender, suffering, and enduring. It is about objectification and the indulgence of observing that torment and perseverance. It is high-risk edge play and is not suitable for everyone.
Classes will be held once to twice a month spread out over 4-6 months based on the collective availability of the cohort. Each class lasts between 2-2.5 hours. You have to commit to all 6 classes since the skills from each class build on each other. There will also be required readings, homework, and practice drills to work on between classes. You will be surveyed below to see which dates/times work best for you before you are assigned to a cohort. I will then notify you once a cohort with similar availability and skill level has been set and you will be added to a group chat for everyone to select 6 dates collectively.
The total fee is $600 per tying pair. You do not need to pay until the official schedule of your cohort has been finalized.
Equipment needed: You will need to have about 6-10 hanks of rope (25-30ft) each depending on your model. You will need rope with an elasticity suitable for suspension such as jute, hemp, etc. Bamboo hardpoints will be provided.
