Shibari – An introduction to Japanese rope bondage

I am Japanese Dominatrix Amrita. I am also known as an international fetish performer/fetish model.  I offer pure BDSM sessions, but do not offer sexual services and nudity.  One of my specialities is Japanese rope bondage; called ‘Shibari’ in Japanese.  I often include Shibari in my sessions which is used to immobilize the subs and it enhances sensitivity and excitement in them, so it is effective method for BDSM sessions. For my performances as well, I do mainly Shibari bondage shows at fetish parties/BDSM events etc all around the world.

I have performed in 23 countries, mainly in Europe.  In most of those countries, fetish scene/BDSM business are already established, so the perception of the audience is very good and enthusiastic.  Japanese rope bondage requires expertise to make intricate ropes works, which looks artistic.  I myself would rather focus on the artistic aspect of the Shibari when I perform than sexual imagery.  I improvise beautiful patterns of bondage to decorate my sub model’s body, which has to be an artistic and effective bondage at the same time.  Then once they are tied up, I combine with BDSM activities like whipping, candle wax, gags, and nipple clamps etc. Like all BDSM activities, it has to be consensual, and important that sub models enjoy being tied up.  Otherwise it is a torture.

Japanese rope bondage is said to have originated from officer’s rope works to capture criminals in Muromachi-period(15-16th century), using it to capture and immobilize criminals, using hand cuffs, chains etc.  It was also used as a form of torture as well in that period since some of the Shibari positions are really hard on the body.  During that period, I doubt anyone used Shibari for sexual pleasure in their private lives.  Much later, probably around late 19th century to early 20th century, Shibari started to be recognized as a sexual fetishism, and finally after the world war, a few people started SM/rope bondage shows/videos as a business.

As a dominatrix for sessions, I bondage male subs mainly.  In that case,  bondage is a great way for power exchange. Once I put them in bondage, even if they are big or strong guys, they become totally helpless in front of me and I can play with them as much I want, and this satisfies my dominant desire. To play SM, you may need equipment and dungeons such as hand cuffs, bondage benches or a St Andrew cross to restrict the sub’s movement.  But with rope bondage, we just need several ropes to have the same effects.  I like this handy aspect of bondage too. As each person has a different body and different fantasy about bondage, I use my creativity to improvise the best ways for each of them and so it is never boring.

As a performer, I bondage female sub models mostly. I really love the artistic aspect of the Shibari for the show, as if I am making decorations with my rope works on the pretty girls’ body, and the audience appreciate the beauty of this artistic bondage.

I have met many people who like to be tied up. But why do they like bondage?

There are several reasons, but mainly they feel excited to be helpless, to be immobilized.  Even if you are not into BDSM, imagine you are kept in hands/ankle cuffs, attached to the bed with ropes by your loving partner/your sexual fantasy man or woman, and then you are going to be touched sensually, isn’t it exciting? You are unable to do anything and just have to take his/her teasing on your body.

I often combine bondage and BDSM actives like whipping, spanking, nipple pinching, dropping candle wax on the body, mouth gags, blindfold etc, depending on what people are into.  With the bondage on, many of my subs are more sensitive to their body and can enjoy the stronger effects of those BDSM activities.  Sensitivity mainly comes from their state of mind being helpless and immobilized in front of the mistress.  They are opened for the pain/discipline I am going to give them, and they are under the mistress’s control and have no choice.  This situation turns them on and this excitement makes their body feel more sensitive.

However, it is not necessary to combine painful activities like whipping, pinching, dropping candle wax on your body with Shibari. And Shibari itself is not a painful thing if we do it safely and correctly.  It can be very sensual if we combine with soft touch, soft scratch, stimulation on sensitive parts etc.

I have heard from several people that they like the feeling of being held in the layers of ropes, they feel like they are embraced tightly which gives them the feeling of relaxation and comfort.  This is a psychological aspect that deals with those people’s past experience and emotional conditions.

Images courtesy of Mistress Amrita
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