Fantasy in Shibari

Fantasy as a genre was defined by celebrated writer Orson Scott Card as a universe in which what is possible and impossible is different than what it would be in our world. To put it simply, fantasy, by definition, is about things that cannot actually happen, but for some reason we wish they would. Kink, as a deviation from what people consider “normal”, has a fantasy element implicit in it. And, in more specific terms, there can be a lot of fantasy in Shibari. Here are some examples.

The first and foremost way in which you can add fantasy to Shibari is by engaging in roleplay. Role playing means, basically, assuming characters, which may be very different from our current personality. And the setting of the scene can also be assumed to be different from the bedroom or studio in which it actually takes place. Younger generations have grown with a strong taste for fantasy. So, it’s not a bad idea to combine Shibari with it.

Although less explored, horror can also be a realm for Shibari fantasy. After all, in its original form, namely, Hojojutsu, bondage was a torture practice. And, even though it has evolved greatly since then, restraint still takes a central role when it comes to Shibari. Don’t forget this the next time you’re planning a kinky game.

Due to its strong expressiveness, Shibari is an ideal vehicle for storytelling. And there’s no rule which says that stories told through bondage must be strictly realistic. Therefore, when you’re adding a narrative to a Shibari scene, do not feel limited by the demands of realism. Quite the opposite, feel free to explore whatever options and variations come to your mind.

So, whether by roleplay, horror or storytelling, add fantasy to your Shibari scenes. You will see the improvement.