A practice born from Japan's adult industry, Shibari literally means "to tie" in Japanese and is described as a way to communicate or exchange emotions with partners through rope tying.

What we know as Shibari or Kinbaku has its origins in an ancient Samurai tradition, Hojojutsu, of tying up prisoners. The shibari knots used depended on the social status of the prisoner, his crimes, and the jurisdiction of the Samurai in charge.

It was only in the early 1900s' that the artistic form of shibari came about. Shibari literally means ``to bind'' in Japanese. This erotic spiritual art is not only about creating intricate rope designs but also about stimulating ki energy flow through the knot placements onto the canvas of the human body.

It creates unusual and pleasant sensations for the skin. It is challenging and even extreme, dangerous. If the bunny has a masochistic streak, shibari provides ample opportunities to feel various degrees of pain and suffering. It's an awesome chance to just hang there and do nothing.

Considered more artistic than other types of bondage and kink, it places a special emphasis on visual aesthetics, in addition to the connection between the person tying (called the “rigger”) and the person being tied. Like many forms of kink, rope tying is used as a healing modality as well as a sexual outlet.

When practiced safely and ethically, Shibari can help people heal by creating a space for processing challenges. It can also help people learn to set boundaries, care for themselves and others, and develop informed consent skills.

Beyond the nautical realm, ropes can symbolize binding or unification, representing the connections that hold people, ideas, or elements together. A rope can also signify the idea of being tethered or anchored to something, whether it be a place, a person, or a set of beliefs.