Yagami Ryu (鵺神流) is the shibari school created by Japanese rigger Yagami Ren, dedicated to teaching and passing on his personal approach to sekibaku.
The school consists of dojos and instructors authorized by Yagami Ren to teach his method, along with students who have earned certification recognizing their knowledge and understanding of the style.
Today, Yagami Ryu has schools and practitioners in more than ten countries across Europe and Asia, as well as an online platform in Spanish and English that makes its training materials and courses accessible to students worldwide.
By extension, the term Yagami Ryu also refers to the shibari style developed by Yagami Ren — a method grounded in clear technical principles, defined by a coherent framework, and shaped through the flexible interplay of those elements.
Organization and Certifications
Yagami Ryu follows a structured system of levels and certifications, similar to those found in many traditional Japanese disciplines and martial arts schools. This framework tracks students' progress and defines levels of responsibility within the school.
There are two main categories:
Instructors — Practitioners directly licensed by Yagami Ren and authorized to officially teach the style.
Certified Students — Practitioners recognized by instructors for their commitment, study, and understanding of the style, though not authorized to teach it officially.
Yagami Ryu Instructors and Dojos
Yagami Ryu currently has instructors and affiliated dojos in several countries:
- Yagami Ren — Tokyo
- Ludvig / Sofia Center — Bulgaria
- Ryuan / Gijón Shibari Dojo — Spain
- Stephen Ropemotion — Germany
- Steve Freeman — Hong Kong
- Ash / Melbourne Rope Dojo — Australia
- Peter — Belgium
Defining the Style
One of the most distinctive aspects of Yagami Ryu is its adaptability.
At its core lies a set of fundamental techniques and principles called kihon — the building blocks that form the foundation of all shibari practiced within the school.
From these elements arise countless variations and combinations, allowing practitioners to adapt to different bodies, circumstances, and sensibilities. Each instructor, dojo, and student develops their own interpretation of these principles, adding their own analysis, nuance, and perspective.
To visualize it, think of the style as the coffee bean — while instructors and dojos are the baristas who prepare it. The same bean can produce an espresso or a cappuccino; likewise, within Yagami Ryu, you'll find diverse interpretations all rooted in the same technical essence.
Baku‑dō 「縄道」
Within the school, you'll often hear the term Baku‑dō (縄道), which means "the way of shibari."
The Japanese suffix ‑dō (道) refers to the personal path taken within a discipline — an idea present in many Japanese traditions such as martial arts (budō), calligraphy (shodō), and the tea ceremony (sadō).
From this perspective, shibari is not merely a technique — it's a process of learning and personal growth that each practitioner follows at their own pace.
In Yagami Ryu, this philosophy is summed up in a simple idea:
"There are no doors."
All practitioners stand on equal ground. No one holds privileged access along the path of learning.
Anyone can approach the style if they wish to explore it — and just as freely, anyone may choose to continue or to leave that path when the time feels right.