Karada
A Body Weave

by Tatu

(c) 2001,   Revised 2005

This Karada which simply means "body" in Japanese is sometimes erroneously called a tortoise shell.

kikkou - literally means tortoise.  Kikkou is a design style in fabric weaving. This term has been used incorrectly in a number of places on the internet and in print to refer to a body weave tie sometimes called a karada. It is not. Up until a few years ago, I had not heard Kikkou being used for a Karada. The Kikkou design is a six sided shape found on the tortoise shell, which is recreated with rope on the body. It is not a simple diamond body weave as in a Karada.

The reason for this confusion, has been stated that the "Manga artists began to frequently draw the diamond pattern Kikkou for illustrations in cartoons, magazines and books with more frequency than the older hexagonal shape. The younger nawashi (like Mai Randa) began to teach this tie and call it a Kikkou in instructional videos and books. The two uses of the word Kikkou probably started sometime in the late 1980's or early 1990's. Up until then people like that sensei of sensei's, Nureki, were usually differentiating between the Kikkou (hexagonal) and Hishi (Diamond) patterned ties. This makes sense since BOTH patterns probably stem for much earlier hojoutso designs which Nureki (and others) researched carefully. Mai Randa (for one) began teaching the diamond (hishi) shaped tie and clearly calling it a Kikkou Shibari fairly early in the 90's in one of his earliest vids and also in his first (and best) 'how-to" book (published by Tsukasa) late in the 90's. This corresponds nicely w/the upsurge of manga illustrations in vids, books, etc.in the 80's and 90's." ⁷

	This is incorrect. The tortoise shell is another design entirely and can be seen in these tutorials. We begin by folding the rope in half and around the back of the neck.
	We then tie a series of overhand knots. The overhand knots shown down the front of the body about 9" apart, then down between the legs and up the back.  Tie off at the loop at the back of the neck at the point of the initial fold in the rope.
	Be sure and leave about 9" of slack below the your subject's crotch area as well.   Note that a series of knots I have named the "joy or happy knot" is strategically placed at the bottom of the hanging rope between the legs so when the weave is completed your nawa jujun will have wonderful sensations between her legs so she can self stimulate her clitoris as she walks or moves her hip region.  She will thank you for this placement.
	Checking the spacing.
	You then start your weave back to front to back, working your way down the body.The end result is creating a diamond web effect in the front and back of the body. There are a number of variations on this. I like to twist the rope over and under with every loop (not shown). It tends to be a little more decorative and and stay firm encasing the body a little better.
	I suggest a little twist with each loop.  It will keep your suit more stable and prevent slipping.
	Finished Back View. As you can see, unlike the front which was a symmetrical weave, I chose to do some decorative variations on the back.
	Then just for decoration you can do a little loop every 6" or so down the legs.
	As well as the arms.

Nawashi Tatu and his lovely canvass, yumi

⁷ Thank you Master K for sharing your research in this matter with us.

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