Shibari

Shibari is a Japanese style of bondage involving tying up the bottom in intricate patterns, usually with several pieces of thin rope which not only restrains the bottom, but provides the bottom pleasure from the pressure and strain of the ropes.

It's also an art form. And photographer Lee "Bridgett" Harrington likes to give classes on the subject, including Erotic Macramé Classes.

In an interview regarding the workshops, Harrington said:

Suffice it to say that shibari derived from rope restraints used on Japanese prisoners of war. "How it evolved into an erotic art, we're not quite sure, since the only earlier documentation we have are erotic woodcuts from the 1700s," she said.

You can find out more about the artist/performer/educator at Passion and Soul, in her blog, and see more photos at her website, RopeLover.com, and Black Book Art.

Memo to self: Must meet Lee "Bridgett" Harrington.