Glossary
Kikkou
The hexagonal turtle-shell pattern in Japanese ropework, lovely to look at and often confused with the diamond pattern hishi.
What is kikkou?
Kikkou (Japanese: 亀甲, “turtle shell”) is the hexagonal pattern in shibari, where the rope over the torso forms a grid of hexagons that looks like a turtle’s shell. It’s decorative by design and ties almost nothing down. In full the tie is called kikkou shibari. Not to be confused with hishi, which lays diamonds instead of hexagons.
| Japanese | 亀甲 (kikkō), literally “turtle shell” |
| Also known as | kikkou shibari, tortoise shell tie, turtle-shell pattern |
| Category | a pattern within shibari and kinbaku |
| Not to be confused with | hishi, which lays diamonds, and karada, the harness that carries the pattern |
| What it does | a decorative hexagon grid over the torso; ties almost nothing down |
| Origin | the turtle-shell motif, in Japan a symbol of a long life |
How kikkou works
Kikkou forms through crossing rope lines that close into a net of hexagons. According to the art-history reference JAANUS at Columbia University, the kikkoumon is “a geometric pattern of hexagonal units that mimics the shape and pattern of a tortoise shell.” In rope that means: row after row, knots or crossings are placed so that hexagons form between them. It’s one of the best-known patterns in Japanese ropework, partly because it’s recognizable and symmetrical. The difference with hishi is in the shape: kikkou gives hexagons, hishi gives diamonds.
Why people find kikkou beautiful
The appeal of kikkou is mostly visual. A regular grid of hexagons over the skin reads like jewelry made of rope, and it’s that symmetry that makes it a favorite among anyone who loves the aesthetics of shibari. For the person being tied, the charm is in the image and in the feeling of being wrapped, not in tight restriction. Keep in mind, kikkou is decoration and not solid bondage. Anyone who wants to use it to fix someone in place or to carry weight needs additional, safe technique, because the pattern itself holds little.
Where this fits with me
If you’re curious about shibari and the turtle-shell pattern, you can experience it quietly during a BDSM date, without having to know the technique yourself. The page about the conversation beforehand explains how we agree on your limits and your safety before any rope comes into it.
Sources
- Kikkoumon. JAANUS (Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System), Columbia University. Defines the kikkoumon as a geometric pattern of hexagonal units that mimics the shape and pattern of a tortoise shell.
Related terms
- Shibari. The Japanese rope bondage kikkou is one of the set patterns in.
- Kinbaku. The erotic Japanese rope art the same pattern work belongs to.
- Hishi. The diamond pattern most often confused with kikkou: diamonds against hexagons.
- Karada. The rope body harness often carried out in a diamond or hexagon pattern.
Frequently asked questions
What people still ask about kikkou.
Who can you turn to with questions about kikkou?
Victor, a gigolo with experience in shibari and ropework. If you want to know how kikkou feels or how it’s laid safely, you can ask him a question with no obligation through the contact form or first chat for free.
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Still have questions about kikkou?
I'm Victor, a gigolo with experience in shibari. If you're curious about the turtle-shell pattern, I'm glad to explain it. Send me a message, I'll message you back at your ease, no obligation.