• Is it,or is it not, A Martial Art?!?!
  A martial (fighting/warrior) art solely serves martial (fighting) purposes. Shibari is an art of erotic spirituality and NOT a fighting art. Shibari has (some) roots that can be traced down to very ancient martial arts (Bushi Do – the way of the warrior – the godfather of all Japanese martial arts) and Hojo Jitsu (arresting and tieing of prisoners)…but Shibari is not a martial art.

• The most common misconception is that Shibari is very soft and romantic. Each individual bondage has specific targets and goals. Their common objective is to stimulate Ki energy flow and start an adrenaline and subsequent combined endorphins, dopamine and enkephalin rush
  (a trance-like experience) for the recipient and an adrenaline/serotonin rush for the giver.

More advanced bondages will enhance these effects through introducing sensory deprivation and eventually a different level of reality perception, thus creating a full and often deep trance.

The objective is to unlock erotic energy through trance or trance-like experiences. Trance (a different level of awareness) is being achieved through a refined mix of atmosphere, ritual, meditation, love, techniques and intensity of the situation. Most forms of oriental lovemaking are hardly ever straightforward sexuality, but an intriquing game of exploration and challenges and a delicate combination of subtlety and expliciteness. Shibari is no different.

What is Trance?

Trance is a situation where one is so concentrated on one specific goal or situation, that the spiritual capacities of the mind are eniterly dedicated to that specific activity. This opens the mind to be able to experience – and use – things it never could under “normal” circumstances, since the brain will be too distracted and too busy. Certain hormones – endorphins especially – play an important role in trance. Endorphins (morphine-like amino acids produced by the body) are the key factor here. Endorphins are known as the “mood chemicals” in your body. They create your moods, all of them. They come in complex cocktails and also serve other purposes. For example, they are a natural painkiller. Experiencing high doses of endorphins is called an endorphin rush. This is known as the “runners’ high” in athletics and as “subspace” in power exchange activities. A combination of endorphins, dopamin, enkaphelin and adrenalin releases creates “super awareness” and this is the key factor in creating trance. Since experiences such as fear, anxiety, stress and physical impulses such as pain all cause the release of high doses of adrenalin and subsequently endorphins – these impulses are being used to allow you to climb the first steps of the trance ladder. Endorphins have a “sister-hormone” called enkephaline, which works on the spinal cord in the same way enderphines work on the brain. Mood is important as well as atmosphere , which is why -a lot of emphasis is being placed on preparation and the physical area. For this, such things as candle light, aroma therapy (incense or evaporating essential oils), bathing and other rituals and techniques are used to create Makama – the “circle” (area), the physical area where both partners will experience their intense lovemaking. Meditation helps to focus the mind and eventually Ki energy exchange is being used to further enhance the bonding between partners and the forces of gravity and sensory deprivation techniques are being used to create a full effect.

 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.