Sometimes there is a temptation to experience something we've never done before. Especially if it's something mysterious and daring. Just like BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOT (lol, you are at my webpage, what were you expecting hah).
So it was a great coincidence for me when I was invited to shoot an event I've never heard about before, but the description sounded attractive. It was organised by DAGuildGallery in Shanghai.
Before I continue, let me clarify what Shibari is.
In Japanese, “Shibari” simply means “to tie”. The contemporary meaning of Shibari describes an ancient Japanese artistic form of rope bondage.
The origin of Shibari comes from Hojo-jutsu, the martial art of restraining captives.
In Japan from 1400 to 1700, while the local police and Samurai used Hojo-jutsu as a form of imprisonment and torture, the honor of these ancient Samurai warriors required them to treat their prisoners well. So, they used different techniques to tie their prisoners, showing the honor and status of their captured prisoner.
In the late 1800′s and early 1900′s a new form of erotic Hojo-justu evolved, called Kinbaku, the art of erotic bondage. Today, particularly in the west, the art of erotic bondage is typically called Shibari, which is an art of erotic spirituality, not a martial art.
Shibari style rigging creates geometric patterns and shapes with rope that contrast beautifully with the human body’s natural curves. The ropes and their texture provide contrast to smooth skin and curves. In Shibari, the model is the canvas, the rope is the paint and brush, and the rigger is the rope artist.
It was a chamber event. Very cosy, atmospheric, intriguing. I was the only one moving around the room, sometimes lying next to the models or somewhere under the table just to frame the picture nicely. What mattered to me was the facial expression of the models - it was descriptive.
At the moment I could just assume how they felt, cause I've never tried it before myself. Does it feel like stretching, a massage? Or were they getting cramps and pain from the rope?
So before going to shoot the second event, I've tried shibari myself. The private one, not the performance one (They have a different approach. The first was more for feeling it and the second one for showing).
The main thing about it - as a "bunny" (the one who has been tied up) is you give up all control. You can't move, can't scratch your nose if its itchy. You have only one choice - observe everything your body is going through. That's the easiest thing to do if you want to be present and in a moment. If it hurts a little bit, and one shoulder blade pokes the other one for example - it's even easier. You are forced to feel it.
During one session I felt exited, scared, horny, almost crying, sweating, cold sweating, grateful and eventually super relaxed. It looks weird and scary for some - but its just one more form you can use for self-discovery and relaxation.
Enjoy viewing the pictures and let me know if you'd like to attend this event next time!
