The Art of Tying Up

The art of tying up — hojojutsu — is one of the oldest in the arsenal of Japanese martial arts.

Hojojutsu masters, who still exist today, can quickly and effectively tie up an opponent so that not only will he not be able to free himself, but every unnecessary movement will cause him pain, or even bring him closer to death.

The first Russian to leave memories of such tying up was Captain Vasily Golovnin, captured by the coast guard of Hokkaido Island in 1811.

He wrote: “… they put us…  on our knees and began to tie us up with ropes, a finger thick, in the most terrible way, and then they tied us up in the same way with thin ropes, much more painfully.

The Japanese are very skilled in this matter, and one must think that they have a law on how to tie, because we were all tied by different people, but in exactly the same way: the same number of loops, knots, at the same distance, etc.

There were loops around the chest and around the neck, the elbows almost met, and the hands were tied together; from them came a long rope, the end of which a man held in such a way that at the slightest attempt to escape, if he pulled the rope, the arms at the elbows would begin to break with terrible pain, and the loop around the neck would tighten it completely.

Moreover, they tied our legs in two places — above the knees and under the calves; then they passed the ropes from the neck through the mats and pulled them out so that we could not move, and after that, having searched our pockets and taken out everything they could find in them, they began to calmly smoke tobacco.”

With a certain stretch, but we can consider these lines the first known description by a foreigner of the most popular Japanese method of sexual satisfaction by tying up the victim — kimbaku — the closest and most intimate…

So, 5 misconceptions about shibari, Japanese rope bondage

Do you think shibari is only for perverts and sadists? Not at all!

Even if you are far from all this, there is a high probability that you have heard of “shibari”, Japanese rope bondage.

You may have seen photos of this mysterious, sensual and at the same time perverted practice, puzzling over what could inspire people to tie up and gag each other for fun.

Perhaps you have even felt awkwardly fascinated by this mysterious erotic pastime and would like to know more.

Fear not, curious reader, all your questions will now be answered! Let’s dive right in and debunk five of the most common misconceptions about shibari.

First, in Japan it’s called kinbaku.

That’s right — the only thing you thought you knew was wrong! Bottom is top and top is bottom in the topsy-turvy world of Japanese bondage.

Shibari isn’t a misnomer for Japanese rope bondage per se; it just doesn’t quite get the point across. Shibari (or shibaru) is a general term in Japanese that means “to tie up.” Kinbaku is a more specific word that refers to the weaving of intricate knots to bind and suspend people for erotic and sometimes artistic purposes. Kin (緊) means “tight” and baku (縛) means “restraint.”

The term shibari has become much more common internationally as the practice has been adapted for non-Japanese audiences and fans. If you say “shibari” in Japan, people will probably know what you’re talking about, but the locals definitely prefer “kinbaku.”

2. It’s not some sacred, ancient art that every Japanese person secretly practices.

Many people call kinbaku “ancient Japanese knot-tying technique,” but that’s not entirely accurate. Although kinbaku has its roots in a practice called hojojitsu, which was used to tie up prisoners in Japan hundreds of years ago, kinbaku as we know it didn’t exist until the early 1900s.

It didn’t become particularly popular in Japan until the post-war period of the 1950s. Only then, gradually, as culture became more Westernized, did it gain prominence. For example, during the occupation, Japanese and American soldiers would exchange magazines with pictures of women being tied up.

Kinbaku was only sexualized later in the 20th century by Seiyu Ito.

At the age of 14, the man who would become the “father of modern kinbaku” saw a kabuki play in which slavery was torture. Ito was so fascinated by this image that it influenced his art throughout his life.

His works, which imitated the ukiyo-e style, included bound, disheveled women, whom he photographed in compromising positions before painting. He famously painted his pregnant wife hanging from ropes — suspension is now a very common kinbaku practice.

Although erotic art had been created in Japan for centuries, Ito was the first to be explicitly sadomasochistic. Other artists in the 1920s and 1930s seized on similar themes in what became the avant-garde Ero-Guro (“erotic grotesque”) movement.

Modern kinbaku is done for pleasure rather than punishment, and involves at least two people: a “top” (the dominant person doing the tying) and a “bottom” (the submissive person being tied). Sometimes these two people switch roles; other times, several people may be tied or tied at the same time.

Sometimes there is an audience. Regardless of the combination, when these parties play together, their encounter – even if it is entirely private – is called a “scene.” Consent is an important part of every scene, something that was not the case in the days of hojojitsu in the old days.

Regular live shows, fetish bars, seminars, and kinbaku-related services can be found all over Japan. However, not everyone does it or even considers it normal.

In fact, it is a very niche underground practice.

Kinbaku is an aspect of BDSM and, like much of S&M culture, the inner workings of it are very secretive. Despite its growth, it is still a deeply misunderstood “scene.” Many participants keep their participation secret due to shame and possible persecution. This is as true in Japan as it is in other countries.

3. Not everyone has sex.

I’m serious! While kinbaku is very sexual in nature, it does not always result in intercourse. That’s not to say it can’t be, but there are a number of other very good reasons to practice kinbaku.

For some, kinbaku is an art form first and foremost. Many people spend years, if not decades, honing their skills. The most famous kinbaku practitioners are exceptionally skilled with their hands, as well as in reading the desires and dislikes of their play partner. For many, the word kinbaku describes both an art and a fetish, and one would not be possible without the other.

For these people, things like live performances or perfecting their personal style are very important.

For some, kinbaku is an art form first and foremost… Others simply practice bondage to relieve stress or relax.

And for others, it’s a way to build intimacy and trust with another person. Many tops and bottoms are also sexual partners in real life, but in some cases, the two only work together professionally.

Or they are close in person but choose not to copulate. Examples of this might be a dominatrix and her client, or two performance artists. Some people even have play partners who are separate from their romantic partners, perhaps because their loved one can’t satisfy a certain fetish.

Others simply engage in bondage as a way to relieve stress or relax. You read that right!

Bondage doesn’t have to be painful. Picture a tightly swaddled baby, or imagine cuddling under warm blankets on a cold day. For many, that’s what bondage feels like. It’s like getting a big hug.

The feeling of being tied up and controlled by someone else can be very liberating. Plus, bondage can actually release tons of delicious endorphins, creating a euphoric high. This feeling is similar to floating and is known as “subspace.”

Ageha, a 26-year-old Japanese woman, has been tying up at local clubs and parlors in Osaka for about a year, but she already seems to have a deep knowledge and understanding of the art form.

In an interview with me, she said:

“Let me start by saying that I believe there are many types of kinbaku. The painfully tight semenawa [torture rope], the eronawa [erotic rope] that emphasizes sexual feelings, the decorative rope as an (artful) expression, and so on.”

She noted that her answers only concern semenawa, and that her reasons for doing it reflect her complexity.

“I like the emotional exchange,” she says. “Kinbaku is communication, like talking or sex. The person tying me up adapts the way they tie me up by observing my reaction. I learn not only what they express on the surface, but through the way they tie up, I also learn their thoughts and emotions.”

And what does she feel when she’s tied up? The words that came to mind for Ageha were “anticipation, fear, excitement, relief.”

“For example, in the progression from gote [the initial tying up, which usually involves hands tied behind the back] to hanging up, to floor work, to untying, I have a lot of different emotions,” she continued. “I feel like my emotions are controlled by the person tying me up.”

She goes on to describe how she experiences subspace, and how she feels after the scene.

“I feel different,” she explained. “I can achieve a feeling of excitement in a pleasant tiredness. Also, I [began] to like the person who tied me up more.”

Not only can going through a stressful or painful experience lead to a cathartic release that feels amazing, but scientific research also shows that shared pain brings people closer together. Ageha’s description echoed what others in our conversations said over and over again.

4. It’s not dangerous (unless you want it to be).

Kinbaku may seem dangerous, but when practiced correctly, it is completely harmless. Since there are many possible risks (such as nerve damage or choking if the ropes are too tight), there are many established safety measures.

Tops train extensively in workshops or with rope masters before tying or suspending another person. They also have a deep understanding of human anatomy. Real tops take risk very seriously and remain very vigilant during tying to protect the bottom.

Kinbaku may seem easy for the bottom, but this person is not completely passive. Bottom girls are often very fit and flexible and usually have a high pain threshold. The top often checks to see if they are comfortable.

If the bottom’s hands are numb or she wants to stop the scene for some other reason, she should be clear enough to ask the partner to remove their bonds. This way, the bottom also has a certain amount of control. Both top and bottom must work together to create an enjoyable scene.

Torture is, of course, sometimes included in a scene. Many bottoms enjoy being whipped, spanked, doused with hot wax or even shocked while tied up. However, this is always consensual and practiced with caution. This is emphasized by two important principles of bondage (and BDSM in general): negotiation and aftercare.

Negotiation involves extensive communication between play partners before, during and after scenes. Aftercare is the practice of tops cuddling, massaging and caressing bottoms after play. This is especially helpful if the scene was painful in some way.

5. The people involved are not psychotic, mentally retarded, or otherwise damaged.

Well, I can’t speak for everyone… maybe some of them are. However, the perception that everyone who is into BDSM is either super sadistic, has experienced some kind of childhood trauma, or has mental health issues and should be tied up and gagged forever is false.

Not everyone who is into kink fits the stereotype. Sure, leather looks cool, and you can’t go wrong with an all-black suit. But kink comes in many forms and styles. Suit-clad office workers, casually dressed college students, shy nerds… you name it, they’ve been into the game.

Of course, it’s not all about looks. Kinbaku masters, dominatrixes, and fetish models may seem intimidating, but they are often delightful and down-to-earth. From amateurs to professionals, rope enthusiasts come from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds and belong to a variety of groups and professions.

Most of them had a childhood filled with love or, at worst, normal. Only occasionally do weirdos and perverts show up at events, and anyone who causes problems or discomfort is immediately thrown out. Rapists disguised as rope “tops” are not tolerated. The kinbaku community looks out for each other.

That’s it. People with perverted personalities are just like you! Feeling less self-conscious or creepy? Maybe even a little curious about trying it yourself? While caution is advised for anyone looking to enter the shibari scene, it really is a safe and rewarding pastime when done correctly.

If your stomach still churns, that’s perfectly normal, as long as you treat those involved with respect. Or beware – you might be tied up and tickled against your will!

On a cold winter’s night in Osaka, Japan, a woman strips down to her underwear and kneels on a tatami mat. Behind her, another woman bends over, expertly untangling a coil of rope. Her black hair falls down her narrow back, and her hooded eyes are focused on her prize.

As the rope unravels, her small hands move to the woman’s nearly bare shoulders, and she begins to gently massage them. Then she deftly pulls the woman’s arms behind her back and works to tie her hands together.

Gentleness turns to strength as she ties the woman limb by limb, her movements practiced and efficient.

Soon, the kneeling woman rises from the floor, suspended only by a few carabiners and a network of crisscrossing ropes. She gasps as her body is deformed by the tightening rope, her screams a mixture of pain and pleasure.

This is a performance of kinbaku…