Shiatsu, Massage & Rope: Myths and Reality

by Tatu
August 2001

There is a system developed in oriental cultures we call accupressure used in healing methodologies. Shiatsu is the Japanese term and version of this ancient healing art. While not widely known in the west, it is used in many western practices. For example in America, shiatsu accupressure is used to successfully turn about 90% of breech babies prior to delivery

Myths
It has been presented on the internet and in seminars that I have attended that authentic Japanese Rope Bondage incorporates the use of shiatsu techniques, to strategically apply pressure with the ropes and knots on captives body, helping to induce all kinds of pleasurable feelings.

Wehave not been able to verify the authenticity of these claims. In fact just the opposite. My contacts in Japan with known bondagers, say that it is pure myth and that they have never heard of such a thing or seen it done.

Nor have I ever seen any empirical or source data to suggest such.

We have verified, however, that the source of this mythology is a European Website Commercial profiteer, who has made claims in the past that he was trained by a Japanese Shibari Master in Japan.  When pressed for the name of his alleged Master, he will only say he is dead.  When pressed for the truth, he confessed he simply took some lessons in shiatsu, and was never trained by a Japanese Shibari Master at all. This relationship with a shiatsu teacher, is why he has invented the whole shiatsu mythology which he combines with Japanese Rope.

Reality
However, that said, I can report my anecdotal experiences in saying that, most women that I have tied up report a "sense of well being" when in the ropes. Especially something like a karada that completely holds and supports them. Often after releasing my captive, she will complain of feeling exposed and naked... very uncomfortable. Mind you they were just totally naked, perhaps even  in an SM club, dressed in nothing but rope, but now they feel "exposed".  {smile}

They will often plead with me to not take the ropes off, so I will release any tension in the shoulders and wrists and leave the karada of whatever chest harness tie in place for her to enjoy for hours.

I do like to use erotic massage with before or after care of a rope scene. This is  either to prepare  the scene with a sense of sensuality or well being and/or bring comfort, safety and sensuality to her as she comes down from her emotional high.

Shiatsu is a deep tissue massage, calling into play very intense if not painful pressure points.  The sadist and masochist would love using shiatsu with their rope. It would not be well suited for the sensualist or the spiritualist.

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