The Beginner's Guide to Shibari, Japanese Bondage Practice

Do you know what Shibari is? Here is the meaning, history, myths, benefits, and how to practice.

It is an ancient Japanese art of rope bondage with the help of professional artists, and it's a modern practice that involves tying people with a rope. It evolved into many different branches and practices and has become something people use for artistic expression and self-care. Shibari means to tie. Suppose you wonder about the photos of people suspended from the rope in a beautifully strange and painful position popular online; you need to start exploring the shibari world. Below is the shibari education and artistic rope share of what Shibari is and how you can start practicing the style of rope play.

History of Shibari

According to Ordean & Pennington (2019), Shibari comes from Hojojustu, a martial art used by samurai in Japan to tie, transport, and torture prisoners with a rope or cords. Seeing a prisoner tied according to their crime served a purpose and an aesthetic and symbolic purpose. It later disappeared from society. It's an ancient rope technique; however, it's found in japan's underground BDSM scenes. It's often sensual sexual, and painful art. It's also known as Kinbaku. It became more popular when it was popular in America and Europe in the early years. The shifting interpretation of Shibari continues to this day; shibari lessons, workshops, and lessons are more accessible now than a few decades ago. People who are not Japanese may not fully understand the origin of Shibari. The functionality and complexity f this rope bondage has been recognized and appreciated by rope artists, enthusiasts, and educators worldwide.

Shibari Vs. Western Rope Bondage

Jones (2020) revealed that regular rope bondage refers to the American rope bondage used in BDSM settings. Western and Shibari share some qualities; they are different role play styles. These two styles differ in the material of the rope used; Shibari uses ropes made of natural fibers, while western rope bondage uses cotton, hemp, or synthetic ropes such as those made of nylon; the difference is the aesthetic the motive. Western bondage aesthetic is more of tying the ropes for restraining functions than Japanese bondage, which cares a lot about aesthetics—professionals and artists in shibari study. Western bondage also focuses more on trying an appetizer or role-play or means an end for what comes after. Regarding Shibari, each tie symbolizes something which sets it apart. Being tied is the experience with Shibari; it's the main cause.

Misconception about Shibari

It's all about Sex,

It isn't always about Sex; the journey with the ropes is the experience, and there's a lot of interpretation. Spiritually and psychologically intense people can have many motivations for practicing Shibari, and sexual pleasure is one of the motives. You can become sexually aroused by the pain of body awareness that comes with the experience, which may not always be the initial plan. Kessi (2020) suggested that you don't have to be in a romantic relationship while practicing Japanese rope bondage. The person you're practicing with often won't be your romantic partner. So you won't feel sexual pleasure from the sessions; you'll still feel the experience of intimacy, though. Closeness with the person because of how much trust goes into the practice. The beautiful thing about it is it can meet any relationship. You can practice Shibari with a friend, family, or roommate; you can practice solo as a self-care act in the same way you can make time for mind-body practice or meditation.

It's Violent

It's not meant to be painful; it should be tolerable and enjoyable if there is pain. There us layers of trust and closeness during the experience. Clarifying boundaries can take a lot out of unknown situations. Normalize asking questions like what it sounds like you your doing okay or what it sounds like if you're in distress. There must be a need for trust at the foundation of these.

It's Degrading

Shibari is empowering, but it can be challenging to your body. The rope discomfort makes a person more comfortable with discomfort in life. It's like sitting and breathing through the discomfort of being in a deep yoga pose to reach another level of mental relaxation. Rope play can do many things but should never make you uncomfortable or disrespected. Step away if it happens.

It's Unsafe

Galati (2017) noted that any rope bondage could cause risks, but it's not about force, pain, or degradation. Evaluate what the risks are for you before you practice Shibari. Ask if its any danger to your health physically and mentally; knowing the trauma is always good because some trauma can trigger by being restrained and lacking control.

Benefits Of Shibari Ropes

What you get depends on your motive and intentions behind your practice. You may come away with improved body sensitivity, empathy and positivity deepened with a partner.

Mindfulness

You're stimulated from many angles that you are mindful of without trying. Your body feels very positive and present in a way that many practices do,

Awareness

You know where you're and the sensation happening through your body, you become aware. You can't be uncomfortable and focus on your grocery lists; you choose to submit to that moment and position, and the body will reward you with many feel-good hormones. Shibari is better than yoga because yoga focuses on doing things well for your body. Running can involve pushing yourself into discomfort and experiencing feel-good dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins; it goes the same way as rope bondage. It makes your body more in tune. You'll figure out the difference between bad and good pain, and you get the opportunity to see what your body is capable of.

Communication

You figure out how to be in deep communication with somebody in a way that is a little more subtle is part of the appeal. You learn your body likes what it doesn't and how to communicate all that to somebody else sometimes without words.

How to practice Shibari

Digest plenty of info before you touch a rope. Learn as much as possible before touching a rope. Read from articles and watch videos to know what sense it comes with. Learn the meaning of words that are used during the scenes;

Scene time is the time spent playing with skills you're comfortable with, lab time- is the time spent learning the skills and practicing skills, the bottom the person being tied, top the person doing the tying.

Find The Teacher that Aligns With Your Values.

Look for instructors who value your own culture; there are teachers for everyone; all you need to do is take the step and start exploring. In-person conventions and events are a great way to connect with other people interested in rope.

Be Okay With Going Slow.

People look at bondage and see erotism but don't see the years of education behind those crazy videos. You will not find yourself two weeks from now an expert rope artist, and it's okay. Practice with people you trust.

Conclusion

The experience with Shibari put riggers in top space and subspace, particularly for the mental and emotional state of floating, euphoria, and calm. Its brought by adrenaline and endorphins triggered by play.

References

Galati, M. (2017). The Therapeutic Impact Of Rope Bondage: A Case Study In The UK (Doctoral Dissertation, Doctoral Dissertation). University College London, London).

Jones, Z. (2020). Pleasure, Community, And Marginalization In Rope Bondage: A Qualitative Investigation Into A BDSM Subculture (Doctoral Dissertation, Carleton University).

Kessi, C. (2020). Roped Into Intimacy.

Ordean, I. C., & Pennington, H. (2019). El Bondage Con Cuerdas Y Las Corporalizaciones Afectivas: Un Análisis Rizomático. Corpo Grafías Estudios Críticos De Y Desde Los Cuerpos, 6(6), 63-78.