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Bondage is a fundamentally creative act
In shibari the rope becomes less a tool and more a brushstroke
I have some personal experience of bondage — being tied up with rope. Indeed, I waited many years before I found a partner who was willing to do this. And when it finally happened, it didn’t disappoint. However, neither of us were knowledgeable about shibari.
Shibari is the Japanese art of restraining a person with rope and is rooted in tradition and transformation.
Although often associated with bondage kink, at its heart shibari is a creative act that explores the connection between rope and body.
History
Shibari’s origins are found in hojō-jutsu. This is a martial art used by samurai to control prisoners.
In modern settings, shibari is practiced not only for its visual impact, but also for its capacity to build shared trust, intimacy, and vulnerability. Something that should surely be praised.
The rope
In shibari the rope becomes less a tool and more a brushstroke. Rather than focusing on knots, the style works on tension, balance, and symmetry.
Wraps — coils of carefully placed rope — are laid with care.
