What is Shibari Rope in BDSM?
Shibari, or tight tie in Japanese, is a type of bondage, an erotic practice from Japan based on the immobilization of a person’s body.
This art uses natural fiber ropes to follow technical and aesthetic principles, not just to prevent the body from moving.
Shibari ties are more complex than Western bondage, including the energy exchange between those who practice it.
Shibari’s greatest historical source can be found in hojōjutsu (捕縄術), a Japanese martial art that teaches the use of ropes to capture and bind prisoners for arrest, transportation, or punishment. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century as a weapon of war: it was one of the 18 fighting techniques in which the samurai were instructed, and later as a police tool.
The Japanese ability to ritualize and embellish everyday activities, from the tea ceremony to calligraphy to flower arranging, also came into play with hojōjutsu: the prisoner’s bonds could follow intricate patterns depending on their social class, the crime committed, or the punishment. that was reserved for him.
Where Do We Stand With The Rope?
The most common types of fibers utilized in the production of shibori are jute and hemp. The rope typically ranges in length from seven to eight meters, has a thickness of between four and six millimeters, and is constructed from three smaller strands that are twisted together. Natural fiber ropes have more grip, a necessary quality in this context because shibari does not use many knots, and its wrapping techniques require the rope to have grip. As a result, natural fiber ropes are preferable to silk or synthetic ones, which do not hold friction well and can lead to faster rope burn. In addition, I believe that ropes made from natural fibers look better, and the constant tension provides a more satisfying experience for the bottom.
Before being put to use, jute and hemp rope must be treated. This involves being boiled to soften the rope, dried under tension to maintain the proper shape, singed with flame to remove the fuzzies, and oiled to prevent it from becoming dry. You can purchase raw rope and treat it yourself, or you can purchase rope that has already been treated. At first, you should probably invest in rope that has already been treated, but later on, you might find it more interesting to buy raw rope and condition it on your own.
From torture to pleasure
Towards the end of the Edo period, the first documentation on Shibari itself appears, in the form of images, showing the use of rope for erotic purposes. In the castle of Matsumoto you can find the first drawings indicating the passage of Shibari from a martial technique and torture to a practice of refined sensuality. Documentation on Japanese Shibari before that time is very scant, although it is mentioned in popular literature.
The passage from medieval brutality to the refinement of erotic art took place gradually during the 19th century and reached its peak thanks to the influence of the painter Itoh Seiyu, called the “father of Kinbaku”. Itoh Seiyu absorbed these influences and combined them with his penchant for erotic dominance and submission play (what we know today as BDSM), giving birth to the art of Shibari.
Shibari as Art: What is Shibari Rope in BDSM?
The Shibari is, above all, an intimate communication between two people. It is an erotic and sensual practice.
But being such a visual and aesthetically powerful art, it has become one of the main means of expression on stage, not only in specialized clubs, but also in theaters, shows, photographs or even in series and movies. Recently on the Prime platform, the series “Pequeñas Victorias” was released, including a scene with Shibari ties made by Ciro J. From BDSM Argentina.
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