Rope bondage

Rope bondage, also referred to as rope play, kinbaku, shibari, Fesselspiele, is bondage involving the use of rope to restrict movement, wrap, suspend, or restrain a person, as part of BDSM activities.[1] Japanese bondage is the most publicly visible style of rope bondage. An alternative style, "Western bondage" is about achieving restraint; the Japanese are more concerned with the artistry of the process.[2]

An example of rope bondage at BoundCon, Germany, 2008

Rope used in erotic bondage is usually soft to avoid chafing the skin, and easy to twist and straighten

A playful, less restrictive form of rope bondage is a common magic trick at cabaret performances

History

Rope bondage derives from the erotic Japanese bondage art form of shibari, which was in turn developed from the now-defunct Japanese military restraint technique of hojōjutsu.[3][4] The rope dress is not of itself a form of restraint, but is used either by itself as an adornment, or incorporated into restraining bondage.[5]

Materials

Bondage ropes used come in a variety of materials and length. Japanese bondage traditionally uses natural fibers such as hemp and jute which are cut into approximately 25 foot (7.6 m) lengths. Western-style bondage typically uses longer ropes that span a wider variety of materials.

• Ropes (typically of a nylon or cotton variety)
• Household furniture

Technique

Main article: Bondage positions and methods

Spreadeagle

See also: Spreadeagle (position)

Woman tied on St. Andrew's cross

A four-poster bed is sometimes used to achieve this position with the arms and legs restrained at the ankles and wrists.

St. Andrew's Cross

The St. Andrew's Cross is shaped like that of the letter 'X'. The points of each section act as anchor points for restraining the arms and legs.

Chair tie

See also: Frogtie

A woman bound to a chair at BoundCon 2013

This is one form of furniture bondage, which has multiple forms. The subject can be placed in a chair. Wrists can be bound to arm rests on the chair or bound behind the subject's back and behind the back rest. The subject's ankles can be tied to the legs of the chair. Further ropes can be used to keep the subject fully secure. This can be combined with suspension.

Suspension bondage

Main article: Suspension bondage

An example of suspension bondage at the Exxxotica Expo in 2013

Hogtie

A woman who has been hogtied

The subject is restrained at the wrists and ankles with all four joints converging together while the subject rests on either their back or (more commonly) stomach.

See also

• Bondage positions and methods
• Bondage rope harness
• Human furniture
• Metal bondage

References

1. Boys, Two (2006). Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes. City: Green Candy Press. ISBN 1-931160-49-X.
2. Winkler, Lawrence (2016). Samurai Road. Bellatrix. ISBN 9780991694181. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
3. Bacarr, Jina (2004). The Japanese Art of Sex. Berkeley: Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 1-880656-84-1.
4. Morey, Craig (2001). The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage. City: Greenery Press (CA). ISBN 1-890159-38-7.
5. Levitte, Joshuah. "Karada Rope Dress". Retrieved 16 March 2013.