WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Is it "HOJO-JUTSU" or "SHIBARI"?

When written, Japanese characters can (I’m told) often be translated
into distinctly different spoken words.
Don’t ask me how or why - that’s not the point of this article

 

It is generally agreed among people who know about these things, that the ancient written character or symbol meaning the "Martial Art" which involves rope used for a quick capture ... can be spoken in the West as either SHIBARI or HOJO-JUTSU.

Even the two words MARTIAL ART gain or lose something in translation; ART also equals SKILL in the original but definitely of a war-like kind.
Aesthetics and good manners also complicate the chemistry of authentic Hojo-jutsu (the term I will use consistently in this article to avoid complications, although to call it Shibari is equally valid).

As far as can be gathered from available evidence, the traditions of Hojo-jutsu are steeped in secrecy and regional rivalry. Deliberate mis-information also muddies the waters for those who go looking for more details of this dangerously attractive form of ancient thuggery. Already there is some highly questionable ‘evidence’ being circulated about the esoteric original. Hopefully, reliable source material will gradually become more easily available in the West ... but it will be a debatable topic because 'expert' opinions are already strongly divided (more anon on that topic).

However, authenticity should perhaps not be the aim of people looking to use elements of this ancient ‘whatever’.
As one knowledgeable practitioner put it to me, “Doms & Tops must remember that what we are playing at was devised in an atmosphere of punitive (or at least callously indifferent to comfort) treatment of accused criminals, prisoners, and those being non-consensually restrained.”

THE ORIENTAL MIND-SET
Anyone who has had social exposure to someone from modern Japan, knows that nuances of social etiquette can easily cause unintentional embarrassment to them. Most Japanese people with experience of Westerners prefer to smile politely and accept what, from another Oriental, would seem seriously offensive. We can not and need not concern ourselves too much here with identifying these cultural differences. Our aim is to explore ‘What’s in it for us’ in Japanese-style erotic rope play and make communication of personal preferences more clear.

In many forms of genuine Japanese visual arts and music, the cultural purity is often less acceptable to the Western eye and ear than ‘pastiche Japanese-ery’. This process of Westernisation has been happening since the Oriental export market was first established centuries ago.

Popular Japanese imagery does give some insight into a mind-set different from our own.
The tradition of confining and distorting trees in the name of art, the binding and deforming of women’s feet in the name of beauty are in an Oriental tradition which has always had 'charm' for Westerners. The stark elegance of Japanese flower arranging traditions and the ruthless disciplining of nature in garden design indicate a mind-set which might appeal to players of physical and mental mind-games. The strict etiquette demanded in other so-called Martial Skills and the elaborate formalisation of a tea serving ritual or the strict training in the Geisha traditions, may also appeal to some Doms and willing ‘subs’.

Strict observance of elaborate rules and politeness masking what may occasionally appear to us as unsentimental cruelty, is perhaps one of the factors which appeal to players of erotic Power Games in the West.

In modern free-style interpretations of Hojo-jutsu, to what extent this remains ‘token’ is a matter of personal choice. Embracing the elements which attract us and avoiding the demands of authenticity is perhaps what anyone should focus on when exploring this exciting new field. Erotic modern versions of known Hojo-jutsu rope-tying techniques are well worth exploring as creative variations on an ancient theme. The true traditions are less than admirable to most people in contemporary Japan.

INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE
The Internet is certainly becoming an important means of exchanging information on any obscure topic. The quality of the evidence is, however, sometimes difficult to assess. Several experienced researchers into Japanese culture including Prof. John Beatty and Richard Cleaver (who runs one of the sites listed in my Rope Notes), have both done some heavy digging in Japan . Perhaps a body of original Hojo-jutsu research is being unearthed somewhere. But even in Japan, current evidence is being tainted. Much 'ancient' material which is often cited, actually dates from the late Nineteenth Century. This, according to some knowledgeable sources, should be taken with a generous pinch of salt.

Well intentioned researchers can easily find people who have experimented and speculated on the ancient physical practices, because the subject can have a powerful appeal. It is easy to imagine Japanese old gentlemen, perhaps with genuine Martial Arts experience, welcoming the chance to ‘advise’ willing young men who wish to learn more about these esoteric ancient skills. The opportunity to tie or watch two tough young men tie one another in the name of ‘research’ has already produced several ‘Masters’ who say that they were themselves taught when young by other older practitioners of techniques passed down from generation to generation.

So, many originally ‘secret within a particular social group’ skills, and processes which lapsed into disuse more than two hundred years ago, are suddenly reincarnated. A respected research document from the early Twentieth Century is now regarded by some historians with deep suspicion. It has also been suggested that certain even older illustrations deliberately give mis-information, because the real techniques were kept secret from rivals.

Anthropologically, I hope serious study is being done - but in the case of modern practices for mutual pleasurable purposes, where might the energy best focus?

WHAT’S IN IT FOR US?
In modern erotic, sensual, game-playing ... personal preference and mutuality are what matter.
Being sensitive to the needs and expectations of play-partners and judging an appropriate level of intensity, are certainly more important than observing historical accuracy when exploring elements of Hojo-jutsu.

Returning to my Word Game; STYLE, MOOD, AMBIENCE, OBJECTIVE are prime factors.
SPACE, TIME AVAILABLE and PHYSICALITY are names for limitations which dictate any sexual/erotic/sensual activity.

Dangerous words like SCENE, SCENARIOS (the plan for a scene), THEATRE or ROLE-PLAY may all suggest artificiality, even dishonesty. REALITY is an important concept in some minds, while ”a willing suspension of disbelief” can become total reality to others, if nothing is introduced to break the flow.

REPUTATION can be a powerful word, because knowing the established mind-set of a player will inevitably colour a first encounter.
SUBMISSION is a word often used too loosely, because limits have usually been established through prior negotiation.

NEGOTIATION is a term which can ruin a potential relationship for one or both players - but in one form or another, parameters should be set.
LIMITS is one of those elastic words and STOP WORDS are a debatable topic; essential to some and anathema to other.

All such specifications whether agreed face-to-face or via the Internet (or through a third person) will inevitably give the first physical coming-together a unique chemistry. After an initial encounter and preferably a de-briefing afterwards, a second session is usually substantially different from the first play together.

TOTAL SURRENDER is powerful phrase, attractive to some ‘subs’.
RISK and CHALLENGE are words that can set the pulse racing. But, allowing someone un-known to you, or who has not had opportunity to identify your NEEDS / PRFERENCE / LIMITATION is a serious gamble.

SO-CALLED, PSEUDO OR PASTICHE JAPANESE-STYLE
There is already a danger that only one style of elaborate roping during erotic play, is what most people recognise as being in the tradition of Hojo-jutsu. Body harnesses aesthetically pleasing to the eye, the process of applying these and then perhaps adding other elements such as partial or total suspension, expanding the experience to include whatever other S&M related elements the one or both the players prefer.

Several excellent Web Sites offer information, advice and lots of erotic pictures. Sites may feature only young, lithe oriental females. Others are exclusively homo-erotic.

All of the above comments are offered only as food for thought. There is no right way or wrong way. Even matters of safety are sometimes a matter for personal choice linked to physical capabilities.

My sole aim here is to broaden the current perception of Hojo-jutsu as a modern category of erotic game-playing.

 

THREE APPROACHES

The ancient skill or art (= jutsu) of making a person captive with rope was something the original (non-sexual) exponents took pride in in different ways. In previous notes I identified three approaches to exploring the territory

1) Fighting someone into restraint against resistance.
2) Creating deliberately stressful restraint situations using rope.
3) A 'ritualised' sensual process passively accepted and elegantly performed.

 These are three distinctly different but not mutually exclusive approaches which all fit comfortably under the heading Japanese-style physical restraint, but are perhaps a long way from the original intention of Hojo-jutsu.

Learning and practising various techniques can be approached on several different level:

- As a skilled practitioner demonstrating his or her abilities to produce certain visual, physical or emotional results. This process can be relaxed and sensual or menacing and authoritative.

- A couple or group experimenting and improvising; exploring variations on a theme, looking to find a level of intensity to suit themselves and potential play-partners.

- A more competitive situation of taking-down and holding a captive, is more in the tradition of the original Samurai Masters demonstrating or practising their skills. This aspect of Hojo-jutsu is currently the least recognised form among players.

Finally, mainly due examples on the internet (as far as I know), very few women consider applying these techniques to males. Particularly when passively accepted by men, such sessions could hold a lot of attraction for both women and men. A rare exception is to be found via http://www.shibarilover.com/nawashi.htm

 

ELEMENTS OF PLEASURE

• Choice of rope whether thick or think, hemp cotton or silk; gleaming white, black or coloured.
• Symmetry and precision of the pattern, gradually forming against the against skin or over a fetish fabric of choice.
• The ambience in terms of music, lighting, aromas.
• The visual in terms of mirrors or video, so the sub can share the full impact of the event during or after.
• The rhythm created by meticulous processes and pauses to savour each new development or predicament.
• Breaks in the sequence while energy is recouped and new departures discussed, threatened or requested.
• Dramatic shifts when roping is intensified by partial or total suspension, perhaps only to demonstrate options.
• Suspense in not knowing or keeping guessing.
• Tactile ‘intensifications’ within the 'restraint' mind-set.

 

 

How is “Japanese” rope restraint any different from what imaginative bondage enthusiasts do?

Is it just the elaborateness (which some people dismiss as Macramé), the aesthetic aspects, the pace, calm or impassive ritualisation? If distinctively Oriental elements such as silks and authentic music are introduced, is there a danger of it becoming pseudo? And, does that matter if it appeals to one or both players. The mood could as easily be in the traditions of India if the aromas and music are in that idiom. The erotic interaction should be what most appeals to the players. Body anointing and massage, painting, temporary tattoos or piercing, abrasion, tickling.

An erotically stimulating cultural idiom imposed on any encounter can be attractive but, in my mind, the lessons to be learned from the frankly vague historical building blocks of hojo-jutsu - is our play can be more imaginative and carefully contrived through paying more attention to the visual and atmospheric. Even the most robust sexual acts can assume some more aesthetically pleasing elements. The mental image of a randy Japanese businessman who has paid a fortune for the privilege of time spent with an experience Geisha is a scene to contemplate. He does not rip her elegant silks or soil her white stockings. Most likely, penetrative sex does not take place - but in her pampering and deference, the elegance of her serving and singing; the sight and sound and smell of her will be something he may enjoy for days if not months after the event.

The body played on like a musical instrument. In terms of physical restraint the same sensual elements can be enjoyed whether delicate and sensitive rhythms are employed, or a tougher dynamic of capture and forceable control. Both can have their appeal. An impassive, almost cruel implacable enjoyment of creating exquisite suffering or suspense has it’s own Oriental flavour.

As more information about what different people do in the name of Japanese Rope Bondage become available, the more important it becomes that people select and reject, pick and mix for themselves rather than paint by other people’s numbers.

Jim Stewart - July 2000

 

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