What is shibari
The art of shibari originates from Japanese martial techniques of binding known as hojojutsu. Their goal was not only to immobilize the prisoner but also to emphasize their social status — different methods of binding were used for this purpose. With the end of wars, binding techniques migrated to everyday life: women replaced prisoners, and the process itself began to be valued for the beauty of the binding.
Now shibari is primarily a mastery of aesthetic rope bondage, not without its meditative quality. And undoubtedly, it has an erotic subtext: shibari can be used to restrain a partner (more often, but not necessarily a woman). Moreover, certain elements of binding can affect their erogenous zones.
How to apply this technique in personal life is up to each individual. The main thing to remember is that above all there should be mutual desire and, especially in the beginning, caution. Everything else largely depends only on your imagination.
How to choose ropes for shibari
Materials
Ropes come in two types: natural and synthetic. The latter are more resistant to wear, but still are not the best option: they hold knots worse and can leave burns on the skin.
With ropes made from natural materials, it’s not so simple either. Cotton ropes are the softest, but this can be a problem for lovers of strong sensations. Linen ropes are also soft but can sometimes contain hard inclusions that can damage the skin.
The classic choice is jute ropes. They are soft enough not to cause injury but rough enough for the person to feel restrained.
Ropes for shibari can also be made from other natural materials. Make your choice based on your own feelings and those of your partner. And it’s better to buy processed ropes in specialized stores.
Size, length, quantity
To avoid getting confused by the variety of sizes, start with ropes of medium thickness: 6–8 mm. Thinner options will not look as beautiful and will cut into the body too much. Working with thicker ropes is more complicated, and they are more often used for distributing heavy loads (for example, when suspending someone, which is definitely not the first step in shibari).
As for length, two to three meter ropes are convenient for binding arms and legs. Ropes of 8–12 meters are used for binding the chest and thighs, while longer lengths are needed for binding the whole body.
The number of ropes depends on the length (as a rule, the longer they are, the fewer you need) and on the number of knots and the density of the binding. In simple terms, you can tie one knot with one short rope. But if you want to create a complex pattern, you’ll need two or three, or even more.
Which elements to start with
The basic elements of shibari are binding the arms, legs, chest, and securing the whole body. It’s better to start with something simple, using guides or your own imagination. After all, shibari is an art, and there is no single correct technique for binding.
Binding arms with the "stirrup" knot
This knot is quite reliable and does not tighten by itself, reducing the likelihood of accidental injury. It’s better to start with this one.
Fold the rope in half and tie it, as shown in the picture. Insert your partner's wrists into the hole where the middle and ring fingers are, and adjust the tension of the loop. The rope should press the palms closely together but not cause pain.
Secure the loop with several simple knots. They should lie flat without overlaps.
In a similar manner, you can bind one wrist or tie the arms behind the back.
Binding legs
Tie the rope to the ankle of a partner lying on their back with the "stirrup" knot.
Ask your partner to bend their knee as much as possible; you can gently push it a couple of centimeters more. Wrap the rope around the outer thigh, then around the inner thigh, back to the ankle.
Now pass the rope under the already lying loop behind the knots that secure the bound ankle. Make another loop around the leg but in the opposite direction. It should lie carefully over the first loop with the same tension.
As in the previous case, pass the rope under the already lying loop and again change the direction of movement. The next loop is placed towards the middle of the thigh and with slightly less tension. The rope makes another turn, reaches the start of the loop, passes underneath it, and goes in the opposite direction.
Make a new loop above the previous one, tightly against it and with the same tension. At the bending point, pass the rope under the previous loop. Then secure it with a knot and lead it down.
Now gently pull the two lower loops of the rope from the inner thigh side to wrap them more snugly around the leg.
Final step: pass the rope between the thigh and calf, wrap the lower loops with it and, with slight tension, bring it back out. Secure the rope with a knot. The binding is ready.
Detailed instructions for performing other types of knots and various bindings are presented on this site. Interesting video tutorials can also be found on this YouTube channel.
Safety techniques
Possible problems
Nerve damage is one of the most common injuries. It is equally dangerous to compress blood vessels. Therefore, if a person has problems with nerves or blood vessels (or a predisposition to them), it’s worth thinking again before practicing shibari.
One way or another, there are points that need to be treated with particular care:
- The radial nerve on the outer side of the arm between the triceps and deltoid muscle. It’s better to place the ropes below this area.
- The brachial plexus in the armpit. This area is better not to use at all.
- The neck. This zone is also off-limits: it can simply provoke choking.
- The wrists. They should be tied without excessive pressure to avoid damaging the nerves.
- The femoral artery about 10 cm below the groin area. It shouldn’t be too tightly squeezed with ropes and knots.
Diabetes, asthma, joint problems, or blood pressure issues — all of these can also be contraindications for shibari. Or, at least, you need to inform about these conditions in advance.
Communication
Communication is an important condition for any act involving movement restriction. Firstly, partners should discuss in advance what they want and adhere to these agreements. Trust is the foundation of any such practices.
Secondly, during the binding process, the submissive (the one being tied) should provide feedback: what position and degree of restraint is acceptable, whether pain is occurring, and how much they can tolerate.
Pain should be reported immediately, not waited until it becomes unbearable.
Additionally, a tied person should not be left alone. After a shibari session, one should stay close to their partner, offering support if necessary. After binding, people can experience a variety of psychological reactions.
Necessary items
- Scissors to quickly cut the rope in case of an emergency.
- A first-aid kit if medical assistance is needed.
- A robe or blanket to drape over the partner after the session.
- A small supply of water and food: the binding process can take a while, and it's good to have a snack afterward.
Practice shibari in a good state of mind and body. Satisfy all basic needs in advance. And do not consume alcohol or drugs (before, during, and preferably after).
In other respects, try to rely on your prudence, train more, and just enjoy yourself.
