People at all times were hedonists and considered a beautiful body as the crown of creation – the most successful work of nature or God (who believes in what). And as soon as mankind has not been sophisticated in singing the perishable flesh and the various pleasures available to it! And while the shy Europeans in the Renaissance limited themselves to a picturesque image of ladies’ charms on canvas, the Japanese (not without reason the most mysterious nation!) Were happy to explore all bodily possibilities. And they willingly shared their discoveries with the world.
East is a delicate matter
Nowadays, the body as a work of art is considered in many areas at once (body art, tattooing), but the Japanese gave us a much more interesting tradition – shibari . This mysterious word (synonyms: Shibari , kinbaku ) represents the art of aesthetic and erotic binding (bondage). Shibari is used as an unusual way of fixing the body in erotic games (for those who like it hot), and conceptual art to create a unique object from female forms and rope knots and weaves. Here the sensuality of the model, the author’s vision of the master and the deep emotional contact between them, based on unconditional trust, are subtly intertwined. Without it, it is better not to get involved in such, frankly, unsafe games.
Most ordinary people associate shibari photographs with sadomasochism. It is true that bondage is often used during BDSM sessions, but this is only a superficial glance. The Japanese are not so simple … As for sadomaso , this is an absolutely voluntary matter and occurs only by mutual consent of two adults. Some categorize being masochistic as well as exercising regularly in the gym. But the East, as everyone has known for a long time, is a delicate matter, and therefore not understandable for everyone.
Dangerous ties
Shibari differs from conventional erotic and BDSM bondage precisely in the use of complex and aesthetically pleasing structures of ropes and body parts. Here you can find both eroticism and high art in one bottle.
There are myths that shibari originated in Japan in the 15th-16th centuries as a special technique for tying up war prisoners. It was called hojo-jutsu and performed the functions of complete immobilization or even paralysis of the enemy. However, experts, seriously investigating the roots of kinbaku , categorically refute this version (read about it below).
In fact, shibari is a relatively young art that flourished only in the 20th century, after World War II. Sibari quickly gained popularity in the Land of the Rising Sun and was even theatrical in traditional kabuki theater. In the early 2000s, kinbaku began to conquer the rest of the world – today specialized shows and festivals are held not only in the homeland of shibari , but also in the USA, Western Europe and Russia. Women’s bodies are not only tied with bizarre patterns – experienced craftsmen can also hang a tied girl in the air. With a skillful suspension, the model does not experience pain and discomfort. However, you need to learn this for more than one week.
The art of trust
About the myths that envelop the mysterious erotic art, I managed to talk with a real expert – Alexander Sokolov, a Moscow master who is considered one of the best not only in Russia, but also in the CIS. Alek Zander (Sokolov’s nickname on the web) is the author of the first shibari textbook for beginners in Russian . Alexander exchanges experience with world shibari gurus , travels to foreign festivals and conducts master classes and seminars. After talking with him, you begin to better understand Japanese subtleties.
About the real history of occurrence
“At the beginning of the 20th century, the artist Seiyu Ito filmed a sadomasochistic photo session“ Punished Women ”, which, however, did not evoke a special response from the Japanese. Then the Second World War began – of course, the Japanese were not up to erotic entertainment. In the 1960s and 70s, a period of the so-called erotic renaissance began in Japan – bondage began to arouse keen interest. Popularity zaoveval Siege Eikiti who looked at erotic bondage in the professional manner – developed technique, giving master classes, performed in front of an audience. This is what I consider to be the moment of the birth of the phenomenon of Japanese culture called shibari or kinbaku . “
Shibari’s connection with the ancient hojo-jutsu fighting technique
“These are beautiful stories told to foreign tourists. Of course, there are some hojo-jutsu techniques used in shibari . But only because both types – binding a person “in the Japanese manner.” That’s the whole connection.
The reasons for the emergence of myths and tales about the “ancient samurai art” are clear. Most Europeans are afraid of sex: we were taught from childhood to the idea that sex is a forbidden fruit, that sexual pleasure is a sin and a shame, that all decent people do not engage in “perversions”. Where there is no place for sex, there is room for talking about art. Although for the eastern nations sex is already an art, they see it as a way of spiritual search and self-improvement. Therefore, there is no place for templates, stereotypes and restrictions in the bedroom.
Europe mistakenly perceives sex as mechanical acrobatics, which is necessary for the dull satisfaction of natural needs. You can talk about provocative art, but only after realizing that the dark side of a person and his sexuality is just as normal as the light side. There will be no real art without this balance ”.
On the dangers of games
“Of course, there is a danger to the model in the binding process. Firstly, the trauma caused by poor-quality ropes can be detected only after the end of the session (and this can be several hours). Therefore, you always need to use natural ropes (preferably from jute) and learn from an experienced craftsman if, for example, you dream of hanging a girl and do not want to cripple her. In addition, a tied person is absolutely helpless – remember this. All responsibility for it falls on the shoulders of the master, who must be a decent and responsible person. What if something happens to him in the process? In general, you need to be mentally prepared for such dangerous games. “
Myths about the therapeutic effect of binding
“Many have read fairy tales on the Internet that shibari has an effect akin to acupressure. It’s a bullshit. Shibari straps are static, and acupressure should stimulate the points in a certain sequence, with a certain pressure. In addition, biologically active points are located mainly on the ears, palms and feet. And these parts of the body are practically not tied. I think the only “therapeutic” effect can occur if a woman is tied to any of her erogenous zones or external genital organs – there is no need to explain here. “
Tasting the forbidden fruit
If you find shibari aesthetically pleasing and your relationship with your partner is built on trust, why not try some oriental exoticism?
The main thing is at the same time a responsible and creative approach.
The main requirement is the quality of the rope. It should be natural (preferably jute, you can use hemp) – synthetic can leave burns on the skin after an inept and sharp tightening. Thickness also plays a role – thin ropes will painfully dig into the body. It is difficult to find the perfect rope – professionals order it in European countries and even in Japan itself. But if you really want to, you can try to negotiate with a consultant in a large hardware store or in the market. Beginners are advised to start with a 4-meter length, if there is enough imagination to strap the whole body, then you need at least 10-12 meters – it all depends on the complexity and scale of the composition that the author wants to create.
The creation of a shibari composition can take hours, so it will require patience from both partners. If you plan to use this technique as a sexual foreplay, but do not possess the stamina of the ancient Greek philosophers-Stoics, then your venture is likely to fail. As an erotic game, shibari is more suitable for a couple who want to get to know each other as deeply as possible and devote maximum time to this.
Don’t forget about safety
We have already written above that the risk in shibari sessions is always present. Therefore, just in case, before starting, put a first aid kit and scissors for instant cutting of ropes in a prominent place – this is your arsenal for emergencies.
A prerequisite is the informed and voluntary consent of both partners. If your lover insists on such leisure time, and you are panicky afraid of being tied, in no case do not go on about! Excessive fervor of one person and anxiety panic in another rarely end well.
No alcohol for courage. If you suddenly get carried away, then the sea will be knee-deep, and you just can easily earn a serious injury. And then you will explain to the ambulance crew why you were twisted in an unnatural position, and even in rope ties.
If you have a chronic illness, think twice before experimenting. But even if you are an absolutely healthy person, you need to make sure that the ropes do not pinch the veins, arteries, neck, armpits and other potentially dangerous areas.
And it is better to come up with a stop word before the start of the game, which will instantly stop the session if the pain threshold is violated or one of the partners is seized by a dangerous panic.
The main knots of shibari
The most common types of shibari harnesses are hands in front of you, hands behind your back, legs to your knees, and tied legs. They can be used separately or combined with each other, let your imagination run wild.
The technique of execution can be viewed on numerous step-by-step video instructions on the Internet. But it’s better to find a master or a shibari club in your city (there are more and more of them every year). And learn from professionals without risking the health of your soul mate.
Experienced “gamblers” say that learning the intricacies of technology should be slow and gradual. They promise that with the acquisition of experience, unusual physical sensations will give way to spiritual reconfiguration and knowledge of the sides of the personality deeply hidden in the subconscious. But even if you decide to try shibari just once, just as an unusual erotic game, you can experience completely new and unusual sensations – the inability of a naked body to move and absolute dependence on another person is somewhat similar to the discovery of the world by a baby who still does not know how to subjugate your body.