Shashinshu

Shashinshu, in its simplest terms, means “photo collection” or “photobook”. In the context of Shibari, it refers to a series of photographs that relate to each other for some reason. For example, because the same model appears in all of them. You can also document every step of a Shibari or suspension scene. Moreover, you can link thematically all the photographs.

We have spoken before about the strong bond present nowadays between Shibari and photography. A a set of photographs can be for your own private enjoyment or to show them on your Instagram profile. In any case, consider the idea of making each photograph a unit within a collection. This will make them more powerful than if you present them as individual items.

By offering series of photographs, instead of single pieces, you can provide a stronger, more thorough background about whatever you want to communicate with them. For example, it is easier to understand the emotional bond between top and bottom if you show every step of a scene and how they interact, than if you only show the finished product, without providing context, or without providing it visually.

You can also develop more complex scenes by turning your photographs into Shashinshu. Since they are shown in sequence, you can offer a narrative that develops through the images. This can allow you to combine Shibari with storytelling. And this will surely provide a more intense experience to the spectators.

Shashinshu also offers you the opportunity of showing more of your work. Instead of having to select a few photographs out of dozens of them, which always involves the risk of not selecting the best, you can show many pictures and let the audience decide which one has the stronger impact on them.

Conceiving and showing the visual testimony of your Shibari scenes as Shashinshu can improve the quality and impact of your art. And that is very important if you are a performer, or if you pretend to do business with Shibari.