Shibari archive for August, 2009
Shibari History
Origin of bondage in Japan:
The history of Sokubaku or bondage in Japan begins with illustrations in an art form known as: Hojo-jutsu (the martial art of restraining captives) or Baku-jutsu. To understand this better, we must dig a little deeper.
In the 1700’s Japan was under the Tokugawa Government, four kinds of punishment were common. These were as follows: pressing parts of the prisoner’s body with a heavy rock, the whip, rope restriction and suspension with ropes. Rope was used to create poor circulation, immobility, and humiliating positions for prisoners. Different types of binding and different colors of rope were used to identify the kind of crime the prisoner had committed and the social class he belonged to. It was physically painful and I would assume mentally brutal.
During World War II, the Japanese came into contact with Germans and learned the concepts of the West and legacy of the Marquis de Sade. These were added to the ancient art, its symbol of power, hemp ropes, and the artistic concept of beauty and the art form that we know today as: Shibari came into being. The Shibari art form increased to the point that special theatres were created for it!
As we look at the world today we see Japanese bondage (Kinbaku/Shibari) used for sexual bonding, personal release, and as an image for art.
Japanese bondage is truely a mind stimulating and soul clenching expierience.