Shibari | furniture inspired by Japan’s bondage fetish

shibari-jo-nagasaka

photos by Hirotaka Hashimoto

“I view rope as a medium of communication,” wrote an anonymous artist who specialized in Japanese bondage. “Its lexicon encompasses a broad spectrum of emotions and intents: from play to discipline, from tenderness to torture, from abstract visual expression to raw sexuality.” Indeed, the Japanese art of shibari, also known as kinbaku, is an ancient artistic form that dates back to the 1400s, but has made its way into everyday life from the way kimono are tied around the body, to the intricate custom of gift-giving. It is, of course, most commonly associated with Japanese bondage fetish in which bodies are tied up in visually intricate patterns using hemp rope.

shibari-jo-nagasaka (7)

The technique originated as a way of subduing prisoners but, at some point in history, the rope split and one end took an artist, albeit rather erotic, turn. Artists like Nobuyoshi Araki, Jim Duvall and Hikari Kesho lead shibari’s NSFW exploits in photography. But now Jo Nagasaka (previously) has made the jump into perhaps what is shibari’s first foray in the world of furniture. At Milano Salone this year the designer who leads up Schemata Architects has unveiled SHIBARI, a series of black and white foam seats that take their bulging shapes from being tied up by rope. Visually, the tight ropes provide a counterpoint to the smooth curves of the rubber. The pieces of furniture are finally dipped in a rubber coating, alluding to the full-body latex suits commonly associated with the fetish.

The risqué pieces were created for Ichiro Inc., a maker of decorative plywood. It’s rather surprising given that the company is more known for their colorful dollhouse-like desks.

shibari-jo-nagasaka (2)

shibari-jo-nagasaka (3)

shibari-jo-nagasaka (5)

shibari-jo-nagasaka (6)

This post is part of our review of  Japanese design at the 2014 Milano Salone del Mobile. All posts are cataloged right here.

2 Comments

  1. Do it yourself Shibari furniture-
    1. Buy a roll of foam from the fabric shop.
    2. Roll or fold it and tie a rope around it
    3. Dunk it in a vat of Dip-it liquid latex
    4. Sell it via slick marketing campaign targeting urban yuppies who just read “50 Shades”.

  2. aka: “I could do that…yeah…but you didn’t”.

    Also: displaying your ignorance.

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