I recently became interested in a Japanese culture and surely couldn't pass by shibari- Japanese art of bondage. This surely deserves attention of those who value beauty in play and those who want to get in touch their deeper self. First of all, I have to say that it's hard to get the right idea of shibari if you are absolutely unaware or at least have some notion of Japanese culture. Keep in mind- shibari is art, which is – you don't simply tie your partner, you create an erotic scene and unique experience.
Initially, shibari came from hojojotsu another Japanese practice used by military forces. But considering the purposes of both were quite different, shibari as any other BDSM activity was absolutely mutual.
Having its roots in Zen philosophy, where meditation is a central principle, shibari also concentrates on acquiring awareness through the presence in the moment. In fact, the knowledge sub gets lies in the dimension of the opposites battle existence, like pain and pleasure, adoration and suffering, exaltation and downcome and their fusion in one. Being the one with your partner, with the universe, with your body and soul becomes essential. Here ropes are not solely a tool of restriction, they are meant to reveal and give freedom to hidden and unconscious feelings.
To repeat it again, in shibari process of tying up is equally important as the result. Through a long and intense stimulation of rope bondage, the bottom gets emotional and mental revelation through physical restrain.
The erotism of the scenery is expressed in the exquisite adornment of the rope patterns, the dexterity of master, the sensations gained through the bondage, bond that ties both top and bottom to create a special understanding and kind of interaction. The art for art's sake can be equally applied to shibari as bondage for bondage sake or to say it more precisely- for perfection.
From the aesthetic point of view, ropes are aimed to emphasize not only on the refinement of the pattern itself but also on the beauty of the tied body and the whole scenery. The beauty of shibari is far beyond of what can be seen with naked eye, i.e. the immovability and pressure of the ropes uncovers the purity of the body, the nudity and its vulnerability.
