Sakunawa: A Tactile Tribute to the Ritual of Rope

Sakunawa: Shibari Lounge Shop

At Shibari Lounge, Sakunawa is more than a collection — it’s a tactile experience, curated with your comfort, creativity, and curiosity in mind. Whether you're tying, being tied, or simply drawn to the beauty of rope, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Explore our thoughtfully selected collection of kinbaku essentials. From luxuriously smooth jute ropes and hand-carved marlin spikes, to steel-core shibari suspension rings and our very own Sakunawa rope care products - made with fragrance-free, skin-kind ingredients. Each item is chosen for its texture, craftsmanship, and the intention it brings to the hands that use it.

Whether you're drawn to the tenderness of Aibunawa or the intensity of Seme, Sakunawa is here to help you tie with confidence, intention, and ease. We invite you to refine your technique, explore that sweet seductive surrender, get entangled in your artistry, and find new depth in every wrap.

Rooted in connection and crafted for those who feel through their fingers, we celebrate rope as ritual — and every ritual deserves tools that feel as good as they look.

Note: If you’re unsure what terms like Seme or Aibunawa mean — don’t worry. We’ll be posting a Shibari Glossary soon to help you navigate the language you might hear in rope jams, workshops, or online spaces. Stay tuned!

Why Sakunawa?

"Saku" (咲) means to bloom or blossom in Kanji, and "nawa" (縄) means rope. Together, Sakunawa 咲縄 is a name that evokes the beauty of transformation — rope that comes to life in your hands, like petals unfolding.

The essence of Sakunawa is about more than fibre and form. It’s about embodied experience, personal growth, and intentional practice. It’s rope that moves with you, binds with meaning, and supports the bloom of something uniquely yours.

A Note from Bex Tatsunawa, (@Bexbunny_), Owner of Shibari Lounge

Funny how life works out — before shibari found me, or I found it, I decided to call my business ‘Saku.’ I felt it represented new beginnings — and I really needed one at the time! It derives from "sakura," the cherry blossom, which is so deeply connected to elegance, impermanence, and the art of becoming.

As a Film Colourist, I’ve always seen 'Saku' as more than a brand name. It was my way of bringing scenes to life through colour — helping them blossom into their most visually stunning form, telling the Director and DoP's story, and captivating audiences by enhancing the raw emotion already captured. That theme has stayed with me. Now that my world is shifting into shibari, I strive to find the same meaning in every hitch, friction and wrap of rope. It encompasses everything I love in life... art, photography, performing, the way technical precision blends seamlessly with creative expression — a silent dialogue that speaks through touch alone. I LOVE fostering shared experiences and being in that blissful meditative state that switches off my overactive brain. Whether sensual or aesthetic, every bind is an opportunity for expression.

As someone on the spicier side of the neurodivergent spectrum and deeply sensitive to texture, it’s no surprise that perfecting the nuances of Sakunawa has become a true labour of love. I grew tired of low-quality rope and gear that felt like it lacked intention or care. I’ve spent months researching, testing, refining — obsessing — over how to create a better experience for others who feel as deeply as I do. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of this carefully curated collection. Everything is handmade or hand-selected, with inclusivity and sensory richness at the heart of it — for those who are passionate about shibari and want their tools to truly reflect that passion.

We’re proud to be currently the only shop in the UK currently stocking of Esinem's Premium Clara Jute and Koumanawa's Premium Tossa Jute. We also have exclusive partnerships with Deviant Creations, Arrival of Birds, and Pigment & Splinters — talented makers who are working alongside Shibari Lounge to develop thoughtful, high-quality tools, equipment, and accessories made by and for shibari enthusiasts. Our stock will be released gradually, and some unique items may be available only as made-to-order once sold out. If you see something that speaks to you — don’t wait!

This dream wouldn't have come together without a supportive network of friends who held my hand, translated my brain, and helped me make sense of the notebooks of chaotic scribbles and drawings when it all got overwhelming and stressful. What grounded me through it all was teaching at Shibari Lounge — witnessing so many individuals flourish in their rope journey, gaining confidence with their physical expression, developing handling skills, deepening communication, discovering new facets of themselves, and learning to give in to that delicious floaty release.

Yes, our tagline “For the bind you feel, not just the one you see” might sound pretentious to some. But I mean every word. Sakunawa is for those of us who experience the world through texture, through meaning, through sensation. It’s a love letter to the ritual of rope, and a heartfelt tribute to everyone on the path with us. To self-discovery, to deep trusting connections, to the beauty within every wrap, inside and out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without you all, Shibari Lounge and Sakunawa wouldn't exist — and neither would the version of me who finally feels seen, supported, and inspired. 

So without further ado…

The Shibari Lounge Shop — Sakunawa — is now open for business! This space is made for the curious, the creative, and those who crave resonance. Order before our official launch to receive an exclusive early-access discount — and join us as this journey begins to unfold…

Head over to our shop page to place your orders