Shibari, Kinbaku, Japanese Inspired Rope Bondage… whatever terminology and language we use, the practice of Shibari/Rope Bondage has a history, culture and story of its own.
This history is not to be romanticized, or idolatrised or diminished and contains a diverse and rich development of cultures both within Japan and due to its export, across the world. Many people describe the history of Shibari as dating back to the Edo period, an ancient art form practiced in secret by only the highest skilled warriors, built upon respect with specific ties denoting rank and privilege of prisoners avoiding the use of knots so as not to bring about shame. Although this is true, there is a far more diverse history at play, one which if you wish to practice Shibari, should be respected, acknowledged, explored, understood?? (where possible) and certainly empathised with.
Yes rope bondage has a history in military application, but that means it is also shrouded in death and sacrifice. Wars are fought by the poor, who live and die in the field. War stories are told by the rich, those that survive, often tainted by the winning side. History is the bias of the winners.
Modern Shibari also has a history in sex, in the mail order magazines of erotica and pornography distributed in post war Japan, heavily censored by a government focused on proving it legitimacy in an increasingly westernised world. Proliferating in the underground sex clubs and SM world, by a handful of individuals creating images, film, and content for there own personal gratification. Enjoyed by growing masses over time.
Furthermore, Shibari also comes with it a degree of patriarchal male dominance, consent violations, anti-feminism, ageism, sizeism, racial prejudice in both positive and negative and safety issues in its history and these are not things that can or should be ignored.
We often talk about people doing research, focussing on safety, consent, negotiation, risk etc, but there is a growing need to also look at its history, culture, connectedness and inclusivity. There are many, many people who are working towards this, providing better understanding of the history and culture of Japanese Rope Bondage and Japanese inspired rope bondage.
One thing we cannot deny, if you are not Japanese and you practice this art form, that it has been appropriated from another culture. But in a globalised world this is inevitable, as more information becomes available to wider audiences, this naturally percolates through societies and evolves over time.
The difference between appropriate and appreciation lies in knowledge and respect. By denying or glossing over the darker and seedier history of shibari we inadvertently disrespect its journey to where it is today. By romanticising it, we deny the rich diversity of those individuals who have shaped it to become what it is today, through a lense of singularity… Yes it’s art… Yes, it’s kink…. Yes, it’s connective…. Yes, it’s beautiful…. Yes, it’s experiential…. But it is not one of these things, but all of them, in as diverse a way that any of us are as human beings.
I am white, my ability to practice this art form comes at the achievement but also the expense of others, some of whom have not the same societal privileges I do, who have had to face injustices and discrimination by virtue of thier non whiteness.
I am male, my ability to be a top/dominant in the rope world comes from the achievement of many bottoms and women, in enduring consent violations, questionable safety practices, neglect and in the worst cases plain assault, that has resulted in the growth of this community and the improvement in standards many of us advocate today.
I am (mostly, albeit with some gender non conformity) Cis-Gendered, my ability to be accepted in the world is not my choice by virtue of my external appearance and expression, but this comes in contrast to those who are not considered passing and have paved a way for inclusivity that I may enjoy all types of people in rope, in all apparitions of the gender spectrum as we work towards a more inclusive community that can demonstrate rope truly is for everyone.
I am however…. Not in control of any of these things. I, as anyone not in a position of societal privilege, did not choose to be these things. It is however my responsibility to be aware of this, and to advocate everyone to take their own personal responsibility to be aware of, educate yourselves and remain open minded, hearted and accepting of others around us.
That said, I may use terminology that is not native to my language in describing our rope. When we first discovered this art form it was prevalent to describe it as shibari, a marked difference from the John Willie style western damsel in distress bondage, with heavier ropes, often bright white in its construction (perfect for black and white photography no?? ). So naturally this has become appropriated into my personal language to create a distinction in this beautiful art form of Japanese inspired rope and other types of rope-based bondage.
Likewise, many of the patterns I use in rope I default to describing them using the Japanese terminology, such as Futomomo, Gote, Ebi, which describe rather the position of the body than the pattern. This has been absorbed into my lexicon often as it more effectively describes the rope and body positioning than attempting to translate it. In many instances, understood by those with experience of Shibari and a more effective method of communication, such as describing a Futomomo as opposed to “that tie with your leg bent and wraps around the thigh and calf”. Where necessary I will aim to give both Japanese and native language descriptors, such as “Box Tie, also known as TK or Gote”, if such exists, or that I am aware of. If there are any I’m incorrect about, please reach out in a comment or message and let me know and assist in my learning journey.
As Shibari is not in any way a regulated form, there is no approved terminology. As a student of this craft I am always learning and aim not to offend anyone through my use of language or description. I am open if I am incorrect, and part of this blog is to act as accountability and a channel by which people can help me to build my knowledge. I am no expert, far from it, but after 5 years of interest, study and practice I am becoming more confident to discuss my opinion publicly… but it remains that, an opinion. I am fallible and imperfect, but I also retain the humility and awareness of self to be both wrong and corrected, something I will welcome anyone to do if they see anything here they disagree with. I don’t however subscribe to the idea of pillar box gatekeeping of a culture or language, but rather advocate that they should be respected and appreciated in their multidimensional and varied ways.
Shibari Sanctum 