Shibaru

The Tradition of Shibari (To Tie)

Japanese rope bondage is constructed in layers. I’ve recently learned that while some of the individual layers have Japanese names, the combinations usually do not. Each harness is artfully and uniquely created. Like snowflakes, few are ever the same. The rope is usually 1/4″ or 3/8″ in diameter, and is usually doubled, both for enhanced visual pleasure as well as increased strain relief. The first layer is usually Shinju (“The Pearls”, or breasts), formed by tying the hands as high as possible behind the back, then putting two turns around the torso above the breasts and another two turns below the breasts, using the ends to cinch all four turns tightly together. The cinch is located in front of the arm, between the arm and the torso, and is tied off there.

Variations include bringing the ends of the cinch behind the back; by pulling the ends together this allows the tightness of the torso ropes to be further increased. Another variation involves taking the ends of the cinch rope up over the shoulders, forming more of a harness, while a gentler variation only cinches the ropes which pass below the breasts.

Shinju

Shinju (The Pearls) – Around the torso, under and over the breasts.

Shinju (The Pearls) – Shinju with Independent Crupper-style Waist & Crotch Rope

Karada  

Karada (The Body) – Torso Harness - Halved rope, knotted behind neck, down through crotch, up to neck. Criss-crossed front to back, making a diamond-shaped web. This style, while easy to learn, is not often used because access to the crotch can not be obtained while still leaving the torso bound.

Full-Body Harness - The arms and legs are encircled, as well as the torso.

Full-Body Harness, avoiding crotch

Asymmetric Bondage

Combinations

Japanese Hog-Tie – Wrists linked to ankles, the classic immobilization.

Western Interpretations

Please do visit Tammad’s home page, the author of this work, for his full spectrum of bdsm and japanese ropework tutorials, fiction and unique views of the world at large.   It’s free, and he is a fun kind of barbarbarian fellow! Many thanks to Mr. T Productions for use of several photos used in the illustration of this section.

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