Rope bondage

An example of rope bondage at BoundCon, Germany, 2008

Rope used in erotic bondage is usually soft to avoid chafing the skin, and easy to twist and straighten

A playful, less restrictive form of rope bondage is a common magic trick at cabaret performances.

Rope bondage, also referred to as rope play, is bondage involving the use of rope to restrict movement, wrap, suspend, or restrain a person, as part of BDSM activities. Japanese bondage, also known as kinbaku or shibari, is the most publicly visible style of rope bondage. An alternative style, "Western bondage" is about achieving restraint; the Japanese style is more concerned with the artistry of the process. String bondage is the wrapping of rows of string around a body area for arousal. String bondage is also known as "constrictions".

History

Rope bondage derives from the erotic Japanese bondage art form of shibari, which was in turn developed from the now-defunct Japanese military restraint technique of hojōjutsu. The rope dress is not of itself a form of restraint, but is used either by itself as an adornment, or incorporated into restraining bondage.

Materials

Bondage ropes used come in a variety of materials and length. Japanese bondage traditionally uses natural fibers such as hemp and jute which are cut into approximately 25 foot (7.6 m) lengths. Western-style bondage typically uses longer ropes that span a wider variety of materials.

• Ropes (typically of a nylon or cotton variety)
• Household furniture

Techniques

Further information: Bondage positions and methods

A four-poster bed is sometimes used to hold a subject in a spreadeagle position. The wrists and ankles are tied to the bed's vertical columns, thus restraining the arms and legs.

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  A woman at BoundCon 2013 tied to a chair by her arms and ankles. She is also tied with a crotch rope.
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  An example of suspension bondage at the Exxxotica Expo in 2013
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  A woman who has been hogtied. She rests on her stomach and is tied at the wrists and ankles with all four joints converging together.

See also

• Erotic furniture
• Human furniture