I've been debating whether or not to post this because the damsel in distress is soon executed by decapitation. But a search of the website turned up no substantive hits, so I'll go ahead just for the sake of documentation.
The scene appears in The Hakkenden, the old OVA series not to be confused with the newer TV series. (As a way of distinguishing them, the OVA version has the secondary title "The Legend of the Dog Warriors" while the TV version has the secondary title "Eight Dogs of the East.")
Anyway, in episode #11, around the 20 minute mark, a woman wearing a kimono is tied up with rope, which resembles shibari rather than the usual anime "barrel of rope." No gag.
Anime Sightings Old and New - The Hakkenden
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