רעשים של שקט

כשאנחנו מלמדים אנשים על המקורות ההיסטוריים של השיבארי, אנחנו נוטים להצניע את החלקים שפחות נעימים ופחות רומנטיים.

אף אחד לא באמת רוצה לשמוע שהתשוקה הגדולה שלו (או תחביב) שהוא מחשיב לאמנות יפנית עתיקה,

מקורה בכלל בתעשיית המין ביפן הישנה והחדשה.

כאן אעבור לצטט מאמר של גברת מידורי, אחת המשפיעות על השיבארי המודרני.

Today let’s focus on just three of some of the problematic aspects of Shibari.  

First; the colonized, romanticized story told about Shibari ignored the reality that the images from Japan that inspire so many of us, were and are produced by the adult industry in Japan – by sex workers, for the het male gaze. That these are created as visual or performative erotic entertainment is commonly understood by people in Japan – but taken out of context by those outside of Japan.
It’s a pleasure product created for prurient interests. People in Japan, including those who love it, understand that this is entertainment produced in the margins, by people in the margins – and would consider it silly to equate Shibari to “high cultural arts”.  Much like American “low brow” art forms, which can seep into the mainstream from the shunned margins – think of pin-up art and low riders.  When it’s incorporated into mainstream art or recognized arts, such as in Araki’s work, it’s the shock of transgressiveness that holds the charge.  

Yes, Shibari images are exported from the smut makers.
Second, published and working rope masters, mistresses, performers, and models are part of the larger sex work industries in Japan. To delay this, or to gloss over this, has more to do with the discomfort and bias against sex work of the person denying it.
Third, Japan is a misogynistic and sexist country, where sexual harassment, violence, and women’s disempowerment is normalized. At the same time, men feel disenfranchised after the massive cultural upheaval after World War II. Sexual assault and lack of consent are so common – while reporting and prosecution so rare – when the rapist is convicted it makes national headlines. Then the women are harassed further, often to exile or suicide.
Shibari images from Japan are created in this cultural context. Consent, as we know it, doesn’t happen for women in the photo studios, bondage bars, and rope studios in Japan. This disempowerment is deeply internalized. 

Enjoy the imagery while understating the cultural context they were created in. 

Again, today we contemplate only three points.  

First, that the images and instructions from Japan that thrill us are created in the adult industry for the male gaze. 

Second, the creators, teachers, and performers are part of the sex work industry of Japan. 

Third, these images and lessons were created in a culture where consent, as we know it, is not the norm – and sexual assault is common. 

ממליץ לקרוא את המאמר המלא