“Man is a rope, tied between beast and overman—a rope over an abyss…”
-Friedrich Nietzsche
Definition
Rope Bondage stems from the traditional Japanese art of Kinbaku, or rope bondage. It is the act of tying someone up with ropes. There are many different knots you can study and try, and many different ways to tie someone up. Some people prefer ropes to cuffs simply because they find it more sensual and they enjoy the creative process of using their knowledge to bind their submissive in different ways. It’s a big part of the fun!
History
Rope Bondage has a rich history starting in early Japan. It was first known as HoJoJitsu, which is a style of fast bondage that can take someone down quickly, and was used to hold criminals and military prisoners before they could be brought to jail. This developed into a complex system of ties, with different ones denoting the prisoner’s military status. Over the years, different types of bondage have developed, including shibari – a more decorative style, and kinbaku – a more functional style.
Types of Ropes
Most bondage practitioners have a preference for a style of ropes. There are many types out there. There are natural fiber ropes like jute and hemp, which feel slightly scratchy against the skin, and there are also smooth unnatural fiber ropes made of nylon which are silky and sensual. Most bondage “snobs” prefer natural fibers because they hold up much better over time and look pretty sexy, however, others find the sensual feeling of nylon very hot, and they enjoy the fact that it can come in any color imaginable.
Positions
Rope bondage can be done in any position imaginable. That’s the beauty of it. However, there are many classic ties, which you will see emulated on rope bondage picture and video sites. The most common is the box tie, which originates from the original Japanese bondage. It holds the sub’s arms behind their back in a comfortable position. There is also the hogtie which sees the sub laying on their stomach and their legs folded up, rendering them helpless. The steer tie is the opposite of a hog tie, with the legs and arms getting tied together in front of them.