Blog

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it."

- Confucious


One aspect of Kinbaku that I enjoy is the artistic element, the creativity and infinite imagination that one can utilize when making something new.

Rope can look quite different and interesting if you move a little bit and change your perspective.

Life is like that as well.

If you are having a challenge in your personal life, try changing your perspective. You might see things differently and discover something that can help you.

- Darkly_Dreaming

"Do not speak, unless it improves on silence."

- Buddhist saying

It has often been said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. As a practitioner of Kinbaku, I politely disagree.

The eyes are not the windows to the soul, it is the body.

In Kinbaku, being able to understand what your partner is expressing with their body as they are being tied, speaks volumes. Truly "listening" and reacting with your rope enables the silent conversation between both to be interactive and to succeed.

As you view the Kinbaku photographs in my collection, can you tell what the face, posture and body of my lovely models is expressing?

- Darkly_Dreaming

"Never Forget Our Beginner's Spirit"

- Japanese Proverb

Shosinwasurerubekarazu is a Japanese term that means “We should not forget our beginner’s spirit.”

When we begin a new endeavor, we tend to be enthusiastic and focused. Think about something that you started recently. Maybe a new workout routine. A new business venture. Even a new relationship with a special someone.

As time passes, the enthusiasm that filled us at the start sometimes dwindles, and it’s easy to forget why we started or the wonderful feeling of "newness" that motivated us.

It happens to all of us doesn’t it?

In the back of my mind, the motivation behind my rope journey, the reason why I started learning Kinbaku, helps center me. I am reminded me to approach Kinbaku with the ongoing and wide eyed appreciation of a beginner.

No matter how much I learn, I must always remind myself that I'm a perpetual student. There is always more to appreciate and know.

Darkly_Dreaming

"A Frog in the Pond Knows Little of the Great Ocean"

- Zen saying


Welcome to my first blog entry.

Allow me to be your guide as you get a glimpse of my personal journey into the world of Japanese rope, which is referred to as Kinbaku or Shibari.

What exactly is Kinbaku or Shibari you might be asking?

If you've never heard these terms before, I recommend that you read my introductory artist's biography as I briefly touch upon their definition and the history of the art. It is a long and varied history. And if you are interested in learning more, there are many fine books and internet articles a click away that can provide more detailed information.

For purposes of this blog, I'll use the term Kinbaku.

When I say that Kinbaku is an "art," I mean it in a variety of ways.

For me, Kinbaku is first and foremost about establishing a one on one "conversation" between two people. The nature of the conversation will vary with each practitioner of the art. Typically the conversation begins with the Kinbaku practitioner establishing and maintaining some type of empathetic link with the person that s/he will be tying (the person receiving the rope) before, during and after the rope is applied.

And like a verbal conversation, there is an ongoing ebb and flow. The conversation is initiated by the Kinbaku practitioner. The person receiving the rope reacts. The Kinbaku practitioner then adjusts his/her ties/actions accordingly. The person receiving the rope reacts. And so forth until the conversation is concluded. Sometimes both parties speak during the process. Sometimes the entire process is silent.

The ultimate goal of Kinbaku?

That depends on the purpose that both people agree to prior to the start of their rope scene.

For some, Kinbaku is sexual, kinky, naughty. Tying someone up for their mutual pleasure. This is the often the most well known purpose of Kinbaku; erotic bondage or tying.

Others might enjoy the challenge of the tie itself. Creating an elaborate pattern of rope that enhances the beauty of the person being tied. Then there are those that practice Kinbaku to bring forth an emotional reaction from the person receiving the rope. Quite often, someone tied by someone proficient in Kinbaku reacts with a release of endorphins and experiences an incredible form of euphoria that lasts well past the end of the rope scene.

In my case, Kinbaku is all of this and more, including an artistic expression showcasing living art.

When I started my journey into Kinbaku, I began to take photographs as a teaching tool to help me track my progression. Overtime, I soon realized that my awkward ties were slowly evolving into something visually interesting. Taking photographs soon turned into a passion, and my current goal is to share those photos and ties that showcase the beauty of the receiver of rope with you.

Little did I realize when I began to learn Kinbaku, how vast and varied the topic of this art form truly is. Like the frog in the pond, I have a lot to learn and a vast ocean of experiences to explore.

Will you join me in our own ongoing private conversation as I document my journey and photographs with you?

- Darkly_Dreaming