Seito Saiki - Shibari: Everything you want to know about Japanese bondage. Guide in pictures

Perhaps you got this book as a gift from someone who thought you might be interested, or perhaps you read about it somewhere and decided that this was the book you needed. Either way, you're reading this because you're intrigued. One of the best ways to get invested in something that intrigues you is to learn a bit about it. For instance, Shibari originates from as early as the 1400s in Japan. It was utilized by the highly renowned and revered Samurai. The art form started out as a form of restraining and restricting the prisoners of the Samurai originally known as Hojo-jutsu. For if you were a captive of Samurai it was considered to be an honorable thing, and they showed that even through the way you were restrained. From there it evolved and changed into the more expressive style of Shibari which is considered a vastly acceptable art form used by a wide variety of artists. This change was much more deeply noticeable in the early 1900s, when the art form took a decidedly more erotic turn in the way of a sensual and artistic representation and exposure. From there it has been taken even further into the regions of the aforementioned Kinbaku and from there on you could fall deep into the rabbit hole of the specifics.

Shibari is something that should be viewed as a multi-layered performance piece. For instance, it isnt just all about the rope. A huge part of it is the model herself/himself, and the way they are positioned. With there being realistically millions of different ways to achieve this, it becomes an infinitely expressive and interpretive art form that can be used to represent anything your brain can conceive. This practice is also something used with willing participants and is not considered to be synonymous with any form of deprivation or degradation; in fact it is quite the opposite. It is incredibly common for the models to experience a sort of high, or even a trance like state for the one who is tied up. While the person is handling them, also known as a rigger, can experience adrenaline highs from being in control. All this is from tying knots? Yes, but it also so much more than that.

The ability to tell a story and construct an artistic representation is represented by Shibari for ages now and it is becoming more and more popular in todays day in age as people look for different forms of expression. Ways to capture who they really are. It comes down to the body of the model and the way the ropes are arranged and the places the knots are tied. How the ropes compliment the curves of the body or how the knots accentuate the complexities of the body. There are so many individual elements that working together to create a beautiful display that captures your eyes and gives you something to think about.

In terms of back stories this art form has a rich one, rooted in a history of a culture so full of artistic revery and beauty. Without appreciating that you would be unable to proceed into crafting your own works of art confidently and with the respect required. Now that you have a basic understanding of its history, its time to start taking a look at what we need in order to take our first steps in performing this art!