The knowledge of this ancient art is very incomplete. There are many different styles, such as Fumo Ryu (the spiritual style) or Iki (the bare Zen essentials only style) and the individual styles of various rope artists.
Picture a room, lit by candles. Shadows will dance on the walls and create the atmosphere in the room. That is exactly what you want to achieve in Japanese bondage - the battle between contrasts: beauty and fear, love and endurance, desire and despair, mental growth and humiliation, pain and lust.
It is an intriguing art that involves different levels: physical, mental and metaphysical. For the Kizõshà (giver, donor, dominant, active partner) it is a balancing act, juggling with various different impulses. To the Ukétorinìn (recipient, submissive, passive partner - in Japan sometimes also called M-jo - "maso woman" - which can be anything from a female professional bondage model to a woman who just loves to be tied. The male recipient is sometimes refered to as M-o - "maso man") it is the ultimate journey to paradise.
"Japanese bondage" is an inadequate, superficial translation. While most people are only aware of the bondages, the lifestyle and technique encompasses much more - in techniques as well as background. Shibari Do, as the lifestyle is called, has roots in Japanese lovemaking and courtship, Ki-energy manipulation, traditional Japanese rope bondage techniques, martial arts, theater, even ancient fashion and aspects of Zen Buddhism. The erotic use of bondages is only one aspect of the lifestyle. The technique in modern days is also used as a performing art, has healing aspects and in general is also a way to train the body and mind.
Shibari best translates as either "weaving" or "wrapping in ropes". Both translations refer to the interaction between ropes, the mind and the Ki energy meridians in the human body. Ki (or Chi in Chinese) is the energy of life; meridians are the channels, through which this energy flows. And since Ki - in Oriental philosophy - controls life inside the body as well as the interaction between the body and its environment, Japanese bondage has a direct influence on life....Read the rest of this fascinating article in this section.
Sakuranbo
Sakuranbo (The Peach) Now that you have successfully restrained the breasts, let’s move on to part two of your new lingerie. Sakuranbo – Technical Description Double up another 4 yard rope, wind it around the waist once, pull the ends through and lead the ends carefully between the legs, on either side of the labia. […]
The Anchor Hitch
Knots: The Anchor Hitch Many people use cuffs instead of rope around the ankles and wrists. Especially if you are inexperienced, that is a very good idea, since it is safer and the risk of unwanted discomfort is a lot less. However, from a bondage point of view this leaves you with the question of […]
The Panic Hitch
Knots: The Panic Hitch The Panic Hitch is the knotting alternative to a panic hook and a useful knot to learn, especially from a safety point of view. It was designed to be released, even under extreme tension. One of the first problems – in the unlikely event your sub faints during a bondage – […]
The Glove Hitch
Knots: The Glove Hitch The glove hitch is a simple and effective knot. It will help you first of all to secure a rope to something else, like a pole or a beam. With a few exceptions a glove hitch is not really suitable for use on the body. It creates an uneven pressure and […]
Knots: Parallel Position
Knots: Parallel Position Arms or Legs Tying hands and feet is what most BDSM-people do frequently. Yet not many manage to do that in a somewhat handy and most of all safe way. The parallel position especially, which can be difficult, especially since it is easy to get out of, if the binding is not […]
The X – Position
Knots: X-position Arms or Legs The cross-over or X-position for either the wrists or – slightly less common – the legs is probably the Number 1 thing to do, when it comes to bondage. Teeing the hands either in front, behind or above the body almost always requires you to firmly and safely secure the […]
Reef Knots
Reef Knots: Your Two Best Friends Two knots are paramount when it comes to bondage, since these are the two safest, easiest knots that you will use many, many times. No other knot is as safe as these two are. They can be untied under strain, when wet, you can tie ropes of different thickness […]
Knotwork Basics
Knots: Handy Helpers Knots are not only there to tie people up. They also play an important role when it comes to safety. Here are a few knots that will allow you to play safe. Stoppers: One of the worst things that can happen is rope slipping through a tackle or winch. You can safe […]