What you need to know about Shibari

The following interview is republished courtesy of Mosafir, Shibari rope bondage specialist from Russia.

What Shibari means to you personally?

For me, Shibari — is communication between two adults. It is about tenderness and pain, about trust and passion, about sexuality and identity. Also Shibari — is about beauty, the beauty of a woman, the beauty of self-denial.

How did you become interested in this?

Firstly I have been attracted by the beauty, aesthetics, and sexuality of shibari. I saw a few pictures on Internet and interested in it. Later, having learned how to tie, I discovered other sides of shibari, and it fascinated me even more. Shibari is multifaceted. It’s like the ocean: the deeper you sink into it, the more mysterious depths open to you.

Who can be a model?

Shibari model – is slightly generalized notion. If we consider Shibari as erotic game, then the model can be anyone who wants to diversify his sexual life. If this tie is for the photo, then the model is also can be any person. If shibari is for the show, then the person must have some endurance and desire to be in spotlight. This is only sides of shibari. If person have a deep interest in the practice, then the model should be a masochist. Without it, nothing happens. The desire to be tied up must come from deep inner virtue of person. Good when everything mixed in one person. It happens rarely, but I was lucky to meet such person a number of times.

What is necessary for rigger?

Shibari — a sadomasochistic practice with a high degree of visual component. Therefore, a good shibari master – is first of all a man which is not indifferent, but active, hardworking and loving sex. Well, he is also must have a little bit of sadism. We must remember that Shibari is one of the most dangerous SM practices. Therefore rigger should be responsible, hardworking and inquisitive. And one more – you need to love what you do.

What the difference between Shibari and bondage?

Well, first of all Shibari is the bondage. This is Japanese rope bondage. My choice is Japanese style and technique of tying. I started to work in this style and staying in it. If we talk about the difference between European-style rope bondage and Japanese style, it is a very difficult question. You can try to find external visual differences but it will be subjective. Observer will evaluate all subjective. Shibari is within a couple, in their minds and souls. The difference can be shown in process of tying, in aims. I can say that the European rope bondage is tying for any further action, I mean it’s fixation in order to do something with fixed person.

Shibari is a self-contained process. It can last 30 minutes, one hour or two …tying — self-sufficient. This is of course roughly definition because everything is ambiguous.

What is community of Shibari lovers?

Shibari is a unique phenomenon. As SM practice and part of BDSM, Shibari at the same time has a very strong visual component. It made simple rope bondage become a phenomenon, conquered all continents and came to Russia. Just because of aesthetics, we have that «visually intricate patterns» of what Wikipedia write. It is allow making public events showing shibari-actions. It has led to an understanding of the need to meet and exchange experiences. It makes possibility to show shibari and keep up the interest in audience.

If you remember that shibari is dangerous practice and you need to learn how to tie, need to use experience of experienced riggers then it becomes clear why we need to make communities of riggers.

Is it possible to take part of such events? Where and what format it is?

Such communities are not common, but you can find it in the big cities of most European countries, certainly in Japan and now in Russia. For example, here in St. Petersburg, we have shibari club «Yugen» which exist more than 5 years. The club meets once a month. This is a party where you can do bondage, be a model, watch and chat. It’s not difficult to take part of it: you just need to join the Club (This is a group in VK-Russian social network) and answer a few questions from administrators. Also we have parties and festivals of Shibari where you can meet and talk with like-minded people. In St. Petersburg for three times was hold international shibari festival RopeFest. We must remember that Shibari is a sexual practice that is available only to adult. It’s also concern of events.

Where we can see live performances of Shibari?

Shibari is no longer an exotic now. In Moscow and St. Petersburg we have big festivals in which shibari masters come from Japan, Europe and other countries and cities of Russia. Almost any BDSM party has riggers, and if there is a show program then there for sure will be bondage. At one time it was fashionable to do shibari show at parties, even far from the BDSM.

What are your favorite masters?

The list is long.  I will mention only some names In Japan: Akira Naka, Nawashi Monko, Hajime Kinoko. In Europe: Bruce Esinem, Stefano Laforgia, Riccardo Wildties. In Russia, I really like what makes Kalahari. In general, we live in a time when shibari progress is very fast. Constantly appears very interesting and original riggers. Very pleased that the Russian masters of the rope are in the epicenter of this process now.

Some photos from some of my performances in 2014 n

Find out more about Mosafir from his website at http://www.mosafir.ru

Images courtesy of Mosafir

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