Shibari Beginnings

Casey’s Shibari Session from 2024

Casey’s Shibari Session from 2024

What an absolute treat it was to work with Casey again for a session them she always wanted to try. This wasn’t my first tango with rope, but it WAS my first time being the rope artist! And please believe more shibari sessions are on the way!

Here’s a brief history of the art.

Shibari, the Japanese art of rope bondage, has roots tracing back to Hojojutsu, a martial art used by samurai to restrain prisoners during the Edo period (1603–1868). Over time, it evolved from a form of restraint into an artistic and erotic practice, particularly in the early 20th century, influenced by Japanese erotic art (shunga) and kabuki theater.

While the foundational techniques are over 400 years old, Shibari as an artistic and intimate practice is roughly 100 years old in its modern form.

Shibari is also commonly referred to as Kinbaku (緊縛). While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle distinction:

• Shibari (縛り) translates to “tying” or “binding” and is the more general term for decorative or artistic rope bondage.

• Kinbaku (緊縛) means “tight binding” and is often used to describe the full practice of artistic and erotic rope bondage, particularly in the context of Japanese BDSM culture.

In modern usage, especially in the West, Shibari has become the more popular term for the artistic and sensual aspects of Japanese rope bondage.