Shibari Rope: Get Entwined in it's History

There’s a reason so many people have at least dabbled in the sensual world of BDSM: it’s a pretty straightforward way to spice things up. There isn’t much rocket science behind handcuffs and blindfolds, so entry-level BDSM is easily accessible.

As you dip your toe further into the pool, though, shibari rope is one of the more intriguing and intricate practices you might stumble upon. Shibari is the sensual art of Japanese rope bondage, and it can be both intimate and downright quiver-stimulating at the same time.

The History of Shibari Rope

Most people wouldn’t think there’s much of a connection between karate and steamy sex, but shibari is that link. Its origins come from a unique Japanese martial art called Hojojutsu, which is a martial art form specifically focused on rope tying.

Warriors would use it to Hojojutsu to bind and subdue their prisoners, sometimes using it as a punishment for those prisoners too. In Hojojutsu, each tie arrangement had a meaning. Prisoners were tied based on their alleged crimes.

Hojojutsu eventually fell out of popularity within martial arts, but Japanese BDSM followers gave the art a seductive twist paired with its clear origins in control and domination. Eventually, this sensual tying became known as shibari, and it spread to the Western world in the early 1900s. Before long, people all over the world were pulling rope into the bedroom and using it as its own sexy surprise or as part of some jailer-prisoner role play.

A Beginner’s Guide to Using Shibari Rope

In its truest form, shibari rope is actually a bit complex. There are distinctive ties you’ll use to bind certain parts of your partner’s body (or vice versa  - shoutout to the proud bottoms out there).

That doesn’t mean you can’t start playing with it and learn it little by little, though. Start with a simple tie like a single column tie. This forms the basic structure and will essentially be the building block you use for more complex ties. Next, you could move onto the double column tie, a handcuff-like technique (a sexy Japanese twist on cops and robbers, anyone?).

From there, you can learn to tie your partner into a chest harness, create ties to bind their legs and arms or to bind their arms to their hips, and any number of scenarios you want. It might take time and practice to get into shibari but when you do, the payoff is delectable. Luckily, there are plenty of handy resources like Shibari Academy and as many YouTube videos as you could want.

Shibari Rope Safety Tips

Before you use that rope to pull your partner into the bedroom and start practising, safety is a top priority. The most essential safety tip is communication. Make sure you’re comfortable being honest with your partner, and that this goes both ways.

It also helps to know each other’s ability and experience levels. If you prefer being a bottom but you’re also the more experience in your pair, you can bring in a sexy twist by instructing your partner exactly how and where to tie you up.

It’s important to have a safe word as well, just as in any type of BDSM play. If you’re the bottom, make sure to tell your partner right away if you feel any tingling or numbness in your limbs, because it means something is too tight and needs an adjustment. Finally, make sure you keep a pair of shears handy in case you need to cut the rope.

Playing with a Modern Take on Shibari Rope

Shibari rope is an intimate and sensual way to bring playful power in the boudoir, but sometimes you want to blend the traditional art form with a modern take on kink. For example, many couples today mix elements of shibari with western bondage tying.

Or, you could mix it up with colourful ropes that make you feel right in your element. Who doesn’t feel more sexually invigorated when they’re empowered with their own personal style?

Whether you find yourself feeling like a shibari traditionalist or a modern free-flyer, you can’t deny the lure of this spicy foreplay. Try it for yourself with our shibari rope collection.