SHIBARI/KINBAKU IN THE
CHANGING TIMES

Shibari/kinbaku has its roots in Japanese martial arts and prisoner bondage. Originally only men were bound (hojōjutsu, hayanawa, torinawa). In the sexual context shibari/kinbaku is mentioned in the Edo period (1603-1868). Most only women were bound.

In the 1950s and 60s of the last century kinbaku/shibari through publication in magazines, the topic became more generally known and thus also outside Japan. Initially often in the club scene and in private clubs with only a few initiated spectators or actors live shows were shown, in which also much was tied up with ropes.

A man named Denki had the idea to put the rope in a double layer and to tie it up. The double layer of the rope is more pleasant on the body than the previous single rope.  On the basis of the double layer the rope is still tied today.
Through documentations (photographs and videos) of men’s captivating women in Japanese clubs, shibari/kinbaku gradually became known in the western world. In this century shibari/kinbaku is a firm component of European metropolises. Especially in the last decade, new shibari studios were created here with great dynamism.

Among others in Copenhagen, Paris, London, Prague, Berlin and Rome there are larger communities with sometimes many hundreds of members. Close contacts are maintained with the grandmasters from Japan and they are invited to attend courses in Europe. Among other things, new teachers are trained here. Many teachers develop their own styles and bondage and pass it on to their students. At international bondage festivals, like-minded people meet to exchange ideas. Today, strict stereotypes and role models are disappearing. The cliché of active and passive that has been common in the BDSM scene for a long time is dissolving: Women tie up men, men tie up women, women tie up women and men tie up men.