The question to answer before ‘How can I learn shibari?
I decided to make a new video, ‘What is shibari?’, because I see so many posts on Fetlife asking “Where/how can I learn shibari?”. The problem being that nobody ever clarifies what they mean by shibari.
If you follow these posts, you’ll see all manner of suggestions ranging from Two Knotty Boys’ tutorials to Yukimura’s and a fair bit in between. The difference is probably greater than the variance you would get asking a room with a mix of Brits and Americans where to learn football. Both are team ball games but there the similarity ends.
Not defining shibari
At one time, I was very dogmatic about the ‘One Twue Way’. However, trying to come up with one definition is like trying to say what is or isn’t art…or football. Shibari can mean whatever you want it to. However, it is worth trying to work out what that is before you start trying to learn it. That seems to be the most effective and efficient way of gaining the skills you need. After all, the roots of shibari are very much in effectiveness and efficiency due to the militaristic background of its antecedent, hojojutsu.
Shibari, like an iceberg, 9/10ths is below the water-line
I hope this video will help your discover the depth and breath of everything that can be called shibari . It has a lot more to offer beyond the pretty patterns and artistic poses that you see. For me, the real secret is the power it has as a means of communication, for SM and psychological games. If you don’t discover this side, I think you are missing out on the main event. Of course, if all you want is a bit of bedroom bondage, that’s fine.
The next video that I am planning is ‘Why do people do bondage?’, which will explore the many and varied answers. Watch this space and subscribe to my channel!