Japanese rope bondage is a fetish art, many digital images of which may be found on the internet. Typically, this activity is carried out on submissive women or men, where they are tied in such a manner to be immobile. Either suspended or on their face on the floor, the varieties of this activity are enormous. Often wooden bars are used to secure the wrists and ankles, and a blindfold may be applied.

This is a very common theme in hentai, and for many people of either sex its entertaining foreplay, or fulfilling in its complete power/ego Dom and sub, (BDSM) relationship.

Unashamedly, the Dominance aspect of bondage really turns me on, while understanding the limits required and respect that is involved in the trust relationship required.

Japanese Rope Bondage, (nawa shibari in Japanese) is a most complicated art.

The intention is to create something which is aesthetically pleasing for the tori (one who ties), and also sensuously pleasing for the uke (one who is tied). Pain should not be involved.

The ropes are used to form basic patterns, which are layered to make more complex ties. The goal can be total immobilisation, comfortable restriction or uncomfortable restriction, and the arrangement can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The ropes should be positioned so as to massage uke as she moves.

Immobilisation is acheived by cinching ropes together once the tie has been made, and posture can be adjusted by tying the various layers to each other in different ways. For example, the back of a breast harness may be tied to the back of a crotch-rope in order to force the breasts outwards.

The ropes used are generally thin, and so many turns are made to spread the load and avoid damaging the skin or cutting off circulation. The turns should not cross each other, and the tension on the ropes should be even at all points.

Example patterns include:

• Shinju (Pearls) - The breast harness.
• Karada (Body) - The body harness.
• Kote kote shibari (Wrist wrist tie) - The wrist to wrist tie.

It is possible to suspend certain parts - or all - of uke in order to add to the immobilisation, although this should only be attempted with expert guidance.