Ever since cheap cotton took over most of the textile industry, other natural fibers lost their market dominance. The USA-inspired witch hunt on cannabis production brought hemp-farming to a complete standstill in the 1980s. As a result, the modern “natural” rope industry produces hardly any 100 percent natural single fiber rope.
For traditional Japanese bondage, use either flax of hemp. Just do not expect to find 100 percent natural, single fiber rope. Good alternatives are:synthetic flax or hemp – used on classic sailboats, hence easy to obtain from ship rigging shops. This is a combination of flax/hemp and synthetic fibers. Provided at least one kernel is removed and the ropes are washed several times, prior to use, this a good and affordable alternative. Climbing rope
is fully synthetic and although not “traditional” a very good, affordable, reliable and safe alternative. For ropes with non-twisted kernels the number of kernels should be reduced to one. All ropes should be washed several times, prior to use. Cotton, in terms of rope strength, it is the lowest rope quality. It has an average breaking point of around 50 kilograms (approx. 100 pounds) for 6 mm diameter rope, which makes cotton unsuitable for most rope bondage adventures. It is okay to use it for simple “on body” only bondages though. Hemp, flax or jute are better options, since all are stronger. “Breaking point” means it CAN break at that point, not it WILL break. This makes things quite unpredictable. If Japanese bondage is new to you, synthetic rope is a much better and safer option. One of your best choices is “fallschnur” (a.k.a. “reepschnur”). This is rope, used by mountian climbers as a last resort safety line in case of a fall. It comes in 6 mm diameter, is extremely strong, soft, flexible and easy to use, especially after you have washed it several times.
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