Hojo Cuff

The hojo cuff is a versatile bondage workhorse. It’s a great technique that we use extensively, but it’s important to understand its limitations.

The hojo is a way to add a column tie to a limb when the rope is already tied to another body part and under tension. The waist to thigh position is a great example of it in use.

We like the hojo cuff because it’s quick and easy to tie and it can be tied under tension. The great drawback is that it’s intrinsically unstable: pulling on the standing part will cause it to tighten. You can reduce but not eliminate the instability by keeping the running end under tension (ideally more tension than the standing part).

Adding half hitches or other stabilizing elements can also reduce but not eliminate the instability.

Looking for something more stable? Try the captured overhand cuff.

Step by step

A view from above of two legs in a seated position, wearing a white bodysuit. A doubled blue rope has been tied around the left leg, just above the knee. The running end of the rope is pulled to the right, going over the right leg.

1Tie your favorite column tie around your left leg and run the rope over to your right leg.

A closeup of the right leg. The rope enters from the left of the image and makes two clockwise wraps around the leg, with each wrap closer to the body than the previous one. The running end then exits to the right of the image.

2Make two wraps around your right leg, moving up the leg toward your body.

The running end has been pulled toward the top of the image, so that it crosses over both wraps and then exits at the top right of the image.

3Cross over both wraps, going over the standing part right where it meets the leg.

The running end now turns down immediately after crossing over the two wraps. It goes under both wraps, then exits at the bottom of the image.

4Go underneath the wraps.

At this point, the hojo cuff is technically complete.

The running end is tied in a half hitch around the original line that entered from the left of the image and went around the leg. It crosses under that line, doubles back over it, then crosses under itself to make a half hitch.

OPTION5If you like, you can add a half hitch around the standing part.

CAUTION
The hojo cuff is fast and convenient but is intrinsically unstable and prone to capsizing and tightening. Keeping the running end under tension will reduce but not eliminate the instability.

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