Kinbaku (緊縛) means “tight binding, and it is used as a synonym for erotic bondage. Often the term Shibari (縛り) is used interchangeably. In Japanese „Shibari“ literally means “decoratively tie.” But it can be also a present that’s tied decoratively. Read on here or here for a more elaborated discussion of this two terms.

We use „Kinbaku“ for our rope work, as we like to emphasize eroticism, emotionality, and the commitment the two partners make to each other when entering a Kinbaku scene. For us, it is a personal, intimate journey.

Rope and tying is, and always has been, plentiful in Japanese culture. Its use ranges from separating the sacred from the profane e.g. in Shinto Shrines, to the art of decorative wrapping and tying gift boxes or the belts of traditional kimonos. Also, rope was widely used for immobilizing captives and as a tool for interrogation, both in times of war and later during Shogunate.

To see tied captives in public was probably a common scene in olden times in Japan. Naturally, in myth and fairytales, the idea of somewhat thrilling eroticism related to rope around a (female) body emerged and made it into the collective subconscious mind, as shackles and chains made it into the minds of us Westerners as symbols for imprisonment and punishment. Even famous swordsman and Ronin Miyamoto Musashi had to suffer from hanging on a rope from a tree at a young age, according to the legend.

Between the 17th and 19^th century, the art form of Kabuki theater became popular and along with it Ukiyo-e, (wood prints) proliferated scenes of thrilling and often subtle (or less subtle) erotic depictions of Kabuki scenes rooted in Japanese collective myth. Famous examples are the one of Princess Chujo bound in snow, or the “Twenty-eight famous murders with verse” from Yoshitoshi, of which 3 involve rope bondage.

The art of erotic tying became even more popular since artist and self-proclaimed pervert Seiu Ito started to use the new medium of photography to capture his model, muse and wife Kiseko tied in ropes. In the 1920s a circle of artists, bohemians and rope enthusiasts gathered around Seiu Ito to explore seme 責め (torture, torment) and the art of erotic tying. This is the origin of modern Japanese bondage.

After the 2^nd World War, Japan came under American occupation. There was an inbound of American pulp literature and porn magazines, which cross-polluted the Japanese rope scene. Relatively loose censorship allowed publishing of magazines with Fetish and BDSM content, and a “Golden Age” of Kinbaku publishing started, with iconic magazines like Kitan-Club as spear head. Initially quite diverse in content, the fan base just loved everything around Kinbaku most, and consequently the magazines became specialized. There were writing, photography, drawings – and how-to series of the at that time contemporary masters of Kinbaku, such as Minomura Kou.

The old patterns and techniques, from the Martial Art of capturing people and tying them properly for public display (Hojo-Jutsu) got re-evaluated and altered to make them safer and more versatile for photography and “home-use.” Later, the art of tying entered stage shows and cinema, which called upon further development of safe but effective techniques. From there, the development branches out, and now many interpretations of intention, technique, and aesthetics co-exist.

Our style is derived from Akira Naka, who himself was a student of Nureki Chimou. Both worked for and with the famous Kinbaku photo magician Sugiura Norio, who influenced their aesthetic development. The patterns used in Akira Naka’s style of Semenawa are rather minimalistic, reduced to the maximum effect for the person tied, in terms of physical and emotional impact. In Europe this style is represented by Riccardo Wildties, the Deshi of Akira Naka and our teacher.

Kinbaku is a transformative practice for us, for both rigger and bottom. It’s about initiating inner processes, developing oneself, making a positive change. The rope becomes a kind of philosophe’s stone. In the rope, with the rope, you cannot hide – at least not when you approach Semenawa with honesty. It will likely change you and your relationship forever.