Posted by daitchen on Mon 27 Nov 06, 11:08 PM to daitchen's blog.
Last Saturday we went to our fourth or fifth rope bondage workshop with Nawashi Murakawa.
This one was held at his place, in a small room minimally furnished with a couple of low tables, cushions, plenty of suspension points from long poles cleverly attached to the beams in the ceiling, subdued lighting, wooden floors, and a traditional wall shrine with offerings in small bowls, above which was mounted what looked like a plaited length of hemp. Nawashi Murakawa explained what it was called and what it was for, but all I caught was that in Japan, to bind something is traditionally a way of making it sacred.
I remembered the etymology of our word "religion" - from the Latin verb "religio", literally, "I bind again".
How can binding make something sacred?
From my own experience I would say, because applying an unusually powerful external containing force temporarily allows the object of the binding to release an inner tension - maybe the tension of the futile struggle to maintain the illusion of a self that is permament and separate from everyone and everything else.
I have found that when that happens, a kind of knot naturally uncoils inside me, somewhere near the gut area, and letting go into a more open, natural state is possible.
Well, this is my take on it, anyway.
Of course, there is the more explicitly sexual, BDSM aspect, too - being "forced" into this vulnerability and surrender can be incredibly erotic.
But however you interpret its symbolism and purpose, rope bondage is an art that takes time and skill, which is why it is so good to get this opportunity to learn from such an experienced practitioner. No superficial fixes or formulas here, but confident hands and an artist's eye for the effect of lines drawn tight over skin.
It took Fractal a bit too long, this time, to get through the preliminary tying to the point where I was suspended, and by then I could only safely stay up for a minute or two.
What did it feel like? Going up, I admit, was slightly painful and strenuous, but once there, I felt warm, and well. Everything was just fine, in fact...
Short but sweet! Afterwards, when the ropes had all been tidied up, we each drank a cup of sake, which I'd never tasted before, and friendly chat and banter ensued until it was time to go.
The only thing I found hard was the cigarette smoke - it really gets to me, unfortunately. Instant throat-clogging... I think I must be hyper-sensitive, and it can make for awkwardness in social situations, but that's just how it is.
Still, all told it was a great afternoon.
For info on future workshops, and so on, see www.nawashimurakawa.com
Edited Tue 8 Jan 08, 2:06 PM by daitchen
