The Tradition of Shibari

Japanese rope bondage has a long tradition. Even though it is a centuries-long history, we can point to some key elements which will help us understand the current form of Shibari. Read the article and find out about the tradition of Shibari.

Hojojutsu is the origin of Shibari. It is a form of torture and restraint using rope. And it was developed by medieval Japanese soldiers. It was not only a physical punishment, but also a way of humiliating the enemy.

Kinbaku is the erotic form of Shibari. It uses the same elements: rope and knots, but with a very different purpose. Kinbakushi substituted humiliation for submission. Likewise, it emphasized the erotic value of restraint.

Shibari is the art-oriented form of rope bondage. Shibari masters focus on aesthetic beauty, and the dialectic between motion and stillness. It is in Shibari where a restraint session becomes a scene. And there are several different types of Shibari, just as there are several genres in other arts.

Pink cinema is a more recent antecedent of Shibari. Dating from just after WWII, and up until the 70s, pink cinema showed bondage to a larger audience. It was also one of the ways in which Japanese rope bondage set foot in the West.

As for the living tradition of Shibari, that is, the shape it currently takes, we can say that it has boomed in social media. There are also several Shibari exhibitions all around the world, with varying degrees of artistry. Shibari is currently becoming mainstream. And there are two new subgenres: Shibari for relaxation and stress relieve, and Shibari combined with cosplay.

As you can see, Shibari is an art with a long history. And, even though it is now very different from the original Hojojutsu, you can clearly see the relation among the two.