One of my uni lectures this session was on kinbaku/shibari.
It has evolved massively from the basic knot tying it once was…. as in tying a belt etc.
It was then used by the Samurai as a torture technique, binding their enemy to restrain them.
Where it came more into mainstream knowledge was through its use in performances by Kabuki actors . The acted out folklore at a time when the population was illiterate. It was how they told their stories. Kabuki theatre at the time only had male actors. The knot tying created features on the male body to represent the female body.
It was here that it became eroticised and began to make it’s way into Japanese adult media, particularly in magazines.
Those features are where we have the closest link to how it’s often how used today as an er.otic practice particularly on the female body, accentuating already existing features.
Through it’s evolution, the thread of ‘restraint’ of the model/muse was part of the practice. It was very tied up in (haha see what I did there) submission of the model. It became popular in Japanese S&M publications in the 50’s. And became a very common feature in art and for bon.dage play.
Today it is particularly common within kin.k and BD-SM circles and the person being tied often moves into a meditative state. There is a lot of ritual and surrender involved when done in a mindful consenting way.
There are cautions however. Circulation to be cut, breathing can be significantly impacted depending on the position a person is tied into and nerves to be damaged -sometimes permanently – due to the pressure of the ropes (whether from being tied too tightly or extra pressure when suspended) and so safety and continual checking of the muse is essential in respectful and safe practices.
If you want to try this practice I would absolutely recommend attending a training or having a session with someone who is qualified and can teach you to ensure safety.