What is or is not Shibari?

Some quick facts about Japanese-style rope bondage. Shibari has become extremely popular in the last decade, and there are many misconceptions about it. Some are benign, others are manipulative and culturally appropriative, if not offensive. Some of these ideas are used to sanitise and make teaching shibari more profitable, but often it is really just a matter of misconception or ignorance. Either way, in the interest of helping each other be on the same page - and you have to be on the same page as your tying partner - here are some facts. While difference of opinion exists, the below are not opinion but based on the historical record.

TL;DR
- Shibari is a modern, post-war erotic S&M practice from Japan. It is not an ‘ancient art’, it is not ‘sacred’, ‘traditional’ ‘historical’
- It can be emotional, transformational, empowering and personally ‘sacred’ if done safely and well, but is not necessarily any of these 
- Unless you’re specifically doing erotic Japanese-style rope bondage, it is probably more accurate to call it ‘rope bondage' and not claim it to be Shibari 
- Rope bondage carries inherent safety risk. Adapt as you wish, but for safety and to prevent possibly serious injury or serious misunderstanding, it is essential to clearly understand the intentions and skill levels of everyone involved. 

Full version: 

- The word ‘shibari’ is a noun and verb, and means simply ’Tie’ or ’To Tie’ - a bundle of sticks, shoelaces, parcels, etc

- It can be used as a noun, I.e ‘futomomo-shibari’ (upper-leg tie)

- One use of the word ‘shibari’ (tying) is as a noun in reference to tying bodies, i.e. rope bondage, also known as ‘Kinbaku’ (tight binding)

- Shibari in Japan is a modern erotic practice with its roots and development entirely in the underground S&M (Sado-Masochistic) scene.

- It started gaining attention in post-war Japan in erotic magazines like Uramado, later in Kitan Club and S&M Sniper. Shibari became more common in the 80’s and 90’s in ‘happening’ bars (small BDSM-centered clubs)

- Some shibari practitioners also repurposed and adapted techniques from an old capturing martial art called Hojojutsu, used by law enforcement. This was in the 1980s

- Hojojutsu is not erotic, nor an ‘ancient art’. It is merely a martial art from the Edo-period, a highly developed system of restraining prisoners using rope.

- Shibari is not an ‘ancient art’
    - It dates from the 1950-80’s. Itoh Seiu started the first explorations in the late 1930’s, and nearly went to jail for it, as did others, as it was deviant and socially taboo. 

- Japan used rope for restraining captives instead of using steel shackles
    - Japan did not have much iron deposits, but natural fibre was plentiful. 

- European countries used iron for shackles and stocks.
    - These items were also later eroticised in BDSM play.

- Modern handcuffs in western S&M play, like Shibari or rope in Japanese S&M play, is not an ancient art. It is a result of a near universal human tendency to eroticise techniques of punishment and suffering, taboo and power relations.

- Shinto beliefs sometimes designate sacred spaces or living things like trees by tying a thick straw rope around it, called ‘shimenawa’. This is a nice oblique association but has nothing to do with rope bondage.

- Shibari (Japanese erotic rope bondage) is erotic in origin, even if recent western attempts to ‘sprirtualise’, cleanse or otherwise appropriate it has increased. 

- Shibari is not a ‘cultural practice’ in Japan - it is still very much hidden and frowned on/ taboo in Japan, and seen as a deviant private activity.

- In the same way that pole dancing has been appropriated, ‘cleansed’ as a fitness practice, light rope bondage is now often called ‘shibari’ and used as a type of spiritual or ‘yogic’ practice. This is fine if you like it but it has little in common with Shibari (Japanese erotic rope bondage). 

- To avoid misunderstanding, it is probably better to call it rope bondage, unless you are specifically practicing the torturous or sensual/sexual stylistic and psychological forms of modern Japanese erotic rope bondage, which is called Shibari or Kinbaku.

- While everyone is free to practice, appropriate, develop, transform or otherwise make ideas their own, it is important to be informed, and to not spread misinformation which can lead to funny or sometimes very serious misunderstandings, possible consent violations, and culturally offensive behaviour or statements.

- No matter what your approach to rope bondage is, it is essential to remember that rope bondage - shibari, kinbaku - is edge play and inherently dangerous. It is a high risk activity and should only be attempted before getting proper training.

- Choose your teachers very well!

Have fun, be safe
Sudojute