Among the practices pertaining to the sphere of alternative sexuality, bondage is probably the most widespread. Given the great success of Japanese-style erotic binding, when you hear the word “bondage” today, the thought immediately runs to the ropes and kimonos. In this article I will explain that the true meaning of the term is much broader, and certainly not limited to just the use of rope on the body.
Definition
Bondage is a practice of temporarily preventing or restricting another person’s movement, perceptive ability or speech. It is usually carried out for erotic purposes.
Of course, ropes are not the only tool that can immobilize a person.
Tools
These are just a few examples of tools, other than rope, with which you can restrict or prevent a partner’s movements:
- Handcuffs
- Manacles
- Wristbands and anklets
- Chains
- Straitjackets
Sometimes the perceptual capacity of the passive partner is only reduced, using for example:
- Blindfolds
- Earplugs
- Earmuffs
- Gloves to limit the sense of touch
Rope bondage
When freedom of movement is restricted with the use of one or more ropes, then it is called rope bondage.
Rope is an extremely versatile object, and to this it owes much of its success as a tool of restraint. Being able to fit each body perfectly, it allows experts to create beautiful and effective bindings in most situations. In contrast, wristbands and other specific artifacts are almost always adjustable, but seldom are they effectively so. These tools cannot fit all shapes, so they are unlikely to immobilize a body very different from that of the models who wear them in catalogs.
Western and eastern style
Erotic binding as we know it today evolved simultaneously in America and Japan in the 20th century.
While John Willie was publishing his Bizarre magazine, enthusiasts in Japan were buying Kitan Club and Uramado. In the extreme simplicity of the early bindings, several common traits and mutual influences can be discerned. On some issues of Uramado it is even possible to find photographs of John Willie. In the pictures beside you can see the similarities between a ligature of John Willie and one of Minomur Kou.
In later times, the aesthetics and structure of the two styles gradually differentiated.
Today we find an aesthetic based primarily on asymmetry and the quiet acceptance of suffering in Japan. On the other hand, western bondage practitioners, carry out symmetrical positions, often emphasizing musculature more than female curves.
Differences between different oriental schools
Thanks to the greater diffusion of the discipline, also the different Japanese masters have begun to develop different styles. Some examples of masters active in Japan who can boast of being masters of their own style are:
It is also worth mentioning Yukimura Haruki, who recently passed away from natural causes.
You might also be interested in an article about the difference between shibari and kinbaku.
Health Risks
It must be remembered that bondage is a dangerous activity. In addition to the obvious risk of strangulation from ropes, straps, or anything else around the neck, there are several dangers that must be avoided.
The most well-known hazard is the blockage of blood circulation in a limb. When an extremity changes color and starts to get cold, it’s a good idea to start thinking about how to fix the problem by restoring flow. This type of risk is the most controllable, because it preneeds obvious symptoms and gives the active partner time to react, satisfying the needs of the passive partner.
Lesser known but much more dangerous is nerve compression. A compressed nerve can also be injured traumatically, not gradually. Once the injury has occurred, healing time can also be very long. In rare cases, the nerve may never recover its original function.
Another risk is postural asphyxia. This occurs when the body is immobilized in positions that do not allow for easy breathing. When, for example, the body of the passive partner is very compressed, with legs crossed and the chest tied close to the ankles, in the long run breathing becomes extremely difficult. This can lead to fainting. If no help is given, postural asphyxia can even have fatal consequences.
Why approach bondage
Given the danger, many may wonder what drives millions of practitioners around the world to engage in bondage.
The reasons are many and differ from practitioner to practitioner. Some enjoy the feeling of restraint, others the dialectical exchange between the active and passive partner. Often the aesthetic aspect is decisive in the choice of style and materials. Among rope bondage practitioners, many enjoy the ability to create different stimuli on different partners. Many practitioners create situations of greater physical or psychological stimulation, depending on their own and their partner’s tastes.
Whatever the case, what should apply to everyone is the desire to interact in a stimulating way, between consenting adults operating in safety.
How to approach bondage
On the internet you can find free or paid tutorials that can help beginners with the simplest tying. However, for those who don’t like knots, there are online stores and suppliers from which you can buy all kinds of constriction tools. However, when you want to make something more complex, a course is the most immediate option. Attending courses and your own Rope Community events, also helps to create a context for the ropes. In other words, observing other practitioners helps internalize the aesthetics and poetics of the discipline.
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