Japanese Rope Bondage Question and Answer

by Hans Meijer

The vortex of beauty, art, cruelty and spirituality

Japanese bondage questions and answers

There are more questions than answers, when it comes to Shibari. And quite a few misconceptions as well. The latter are usually the result of translation errors or "information", provided on the Internet.

By far the most common misconception is that Shibari is very soft and romantic. Shibari is serious stuff. Even the simplests of bondages are not romantic or "soft bondage". 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 enkephaline rush (a trance-like experience) for the recipient and an adrenaline/serotonine 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. Depending on the desired level of intensity this is done through a variety of techniques. These may be anything from soft stimulation of either Ki or hormone-inducing pressure points to balance and breath control, discomfort, embarressement, deep meditation and pain-impulses.

What is a Nawashi?

"Nawashi" is not an official title, neither does it provide any guarantee about knowledge or understanding. "Nawashi" translates as "he who works with (hence knows about) rope". There is no "shibari education system". There are just some who - strictly based on their own study, views and style - teach others. "Nawashi" is largely an Internet-invention and not a term, embedded in history or tradition.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s the term emerged in an attempt by the small group of those, trying to research Shibari, to identify themselves as different from the Japanese porn industry.

What kind of rope is being used?

There are many myths around about rope, most importantly about "asanawa". We seem to run into mistranslation here. "Nawa" is an old Japanese word for rope (the modern word is "ropu"). "Asa" translates as either flax, linen or hemp. Flax seems to be a much more accurate translation. "Asanawa" is translated by many as "rice hemp". Since rice and hemp are two entirely different plants, "rice hemp" simply does not excist. Rice straw was and is used in Japan to manufacture rope, predominantly used for ritualistic or agricultural purposes.

Ever since cheap cotton took over most of the textile industry in the 18th and 19th century, other natural fibers have lost their market dominance. The USA-inspired witch hunt on cannabis production basically brought hemp-farming to a complete standstill in the 1980s. As a result, the modern "natural" rope industry produces hardly any 100 percent natural (let alone single fiber) rope. In fact, any "natural" rope is combination of different raw materials and most has non-natural fibers added to it, for strength, durability and cost reduction. Most of what is currently on the market as either hemp or flax rope is actually a mixture of both fibers, jute and a variety of non-natural fibers.

For traditional Japanese bondage, use either flax of hemp. Just do not expect to find 100 percent natural, single fiber rope. Good alternatives are:

• synthetic flax or hemp - used on classic sail boats, hence easy to obtain from ship rigging shops. This is a combination of flax/hemp and synthetic fibers. Provided at least one kernel is removed and the ropes are washed several times, prior to use, this a good and affordable alternative.
• climbing rope is fully synthetic and although not "traditional" a very good, affordable, reliable and safe alternative. For ropes with non-twisted kernels the number of kernels should be reduced to one. All ropes should be washed several times, prior to use.

Isn't natural rope more traditional

In modern society, 100 percent natural rope (let alone single fiber natural rope) is next to impossble to find. The vast majority of what is sold as "natural" rope, is actualy a mix of fibers, including synthetic fibers. It takes expert knowledge to determine exactly what fibers. In other words, if it says "cotton" on the package or the coil, the dominant fiber in the rope will be cotton but this may not be more than something like twenty percent.

Cotton, in terms of rope strength, is the lowest rope quality. It has an average breaking point of around 50 kilograms (approx. 100 pounds) for 6 mm diameter rope, which makes cotton unsuitable for most rope bondage adventures. It is okay to use it for simple "on body" only bondages, but as soon as you are planning to place any strain on the rope - such as when you tie a limb to something - cotton is a poor choice. Hemp, flax or jute are better options, since all are stronger. "Breaking point" means it CAN break at that point, not it WILL break. This makes things quite unpredictable.

Still, if Japanese bondage is new to you, synthetic rope is a much better and safer option. One of your best choices is "fallschnur" (a.k.a. "reepschnur"). This is rope, used by mountianclimbers as a last resort safety line in case of a fall. It comes in 6 mm diameter, is extremely strong, soft, flexible and easy to use, especially after you have washed it several times. You can find it in or order it from virtually any outdoor, hiking or climbing shop.

Hemp, fiber and jute are all very unforgiving ropes. They are less flexible, more difficult to tie, usually impossible to quickly adjust and they have a bit of a "bite" on the body.

Where - and how - to buy rope?

You would not believe the places people go to, to buy bondage rope and the stories they come up with in an effort to try and hide their true motives. Believe us, the more complicated your "story", the more likely it is the shopassistant will know exactly what you are actually going to use it for. One word of advice, simply tell the shopassistant you are going to use it for "erotic purposes" or educate yourself prior to your shoppping trip and simply ask for "x length of y please".

Not everyone has a specialist ropemaker or rope shop around the corner and your nearest hardware store probably does not have the type and quality of rope you are looking for. Your best bets are outdoor/hiking shops or a boatshop. You may want to check the yellow pages for local rope dealers. Don't invest in cheap, usually nylon-based, rope from hardware stores. These ropes stretch, are painful, of poor quality and may cause excessive ropeburn. Since you are going to use ropes on the body of your loved one, please do invest in quality!

I have seen sites where traditional bondage rope is being offered and my local sexboutique sells bondage ropes. why not go there?

The quality of natural rope largely depends on shipping and storage conditions. Natural rope may easily dry out or attract moist. Both will seriously harm the ropes. When buying natural rope it is better to go to a shop that regularly sells rope in reasonbale quantities, hence the "shelf life" of the rope is as short as possible. Besides, dedicated shops usually have better storage facilities. On top of that, almost all "bondage rope", offered on the Internet, is outrageously expensive.

And that is true for sexshops as well. Rope, sold at sexshops, is usually cotton and sold at prices five to ten times above normal market price. Yes they sell nice black ropes and other fancy colors. You can quite easily dye your own ropes in your washing machine using textile dye and that too is a lot cheaper. An indication: natural or synthetic quality rope normally retails at prices between $ 0.75 and 1.50 per yard/meter, depending on quality and type.

When setting out to buy rope look for quality, rather than fancy colors. You can order black rope from any outdoor shop, since almost all rope manufacturors produce this for military purposes. However, black rope is more expensive. Next, when buying rope do NOT let the shop cut your ropes to size. Instead buy the entire length you need PLUS ten percent. Most ropes will shrink five to ten percent when washing it for the first time. After purchase, wash the rope first and only after that, trim it to size.

Is what I get to see on pictures actually japanese bondage?

Most of what you get to see on the Internet, in videos and in print has little to do with Shibari. These are Shibari-inspired pornographic scenes and a vast majority of these are trickshots (they should not be copied, since this may be dangerous).

Why is there so little information about japanese bondage?

Shibari knowledge was largely lost when, in the 18th and 19th century, Japan turned more western-oriented. Modern Nawashi spend a lot of time rebuilding the knowledge. Techniques are largely taught verbally and learning the art to the level of a Nawashi takes many years, an investment not many Western people are prepared to make. Besides, there is the language barrier. Japanese is not easy to translate and impossible to translate without explaining Japanese culture, philosophy and mindset. If there is any Shibari documentation available at all, most of that is laid down in 17th century and earlier documents in Japanese, that is hard to understand even to contemporary Japanese people.

Are there any unsafe shibari techniques?

When applied without sufficient understanding any technique is unsafe. Most "on body" or "on the floor" bondages can be performed without major risks, provided, one has mastered the techniques. Misuse of pressure points and a variety of other serious risks come into play when trying to perform (semi)suspensions without adequate knowledge, understanding, insight and training. For all Japanese bondage activity the safety rules for extreme sports apply. People should be relatively healthy and fit, psychologically stable, risk aware and not suffering from diseases, such as breathing and heart/vascular system related illnesses, bone, joint, muscle or ligament injuries.

Why does the recipient have to train as well?

Bondages very quickly lead to unfamiliar, often uncomfortable and sometimes painful positions. In order to be able to fully enjoy and explore the release of Ki energy, it is at the very least helpful if one is able to relax the body, even when under stress. Shibari has many meditational and spiritual aspects and in order to fully explore and use these, it is helpful if the body is physically fit and able to relax. Yoga lessons or training are actually a must, because it creates "length" in the muscles. Fitness is counterproductive, since this actually "shortens" the muscles. Shibari has its own set of excersizes (borrowed from Shiatsu) known as Makko-Ho.

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, even though it 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 prisoners). While the cultural aspects of these martial arts should be acknowledged and respected and some of the Shibari techniques could very well serve fighting purposes, Shibari as such is not a martial art. One however will do well, for example, to adopt the traditions of honor and respect (the code of ethics) that come with any martial art. Shibari itself has many different roots: from martial art to the theater, from Zen to oriental medicine, from torture to eroticism.

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