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ABOK -
Ashley Book of Knots
ABOK -
Ashley Book of Knots
Ashley's Book of Knots - Although not a book specifically related to shibari, this encyclopedia of knots is a seminal work in cataloging all types of knots, with a taxonomy and reference using numerical identifiers. Written by Sailor Clifford w. Ashley in 1944 this book contains 3857 numbered entries (although for rope bondage its likely you will only use about 10 of these)
Aftercare
A process of providing a stable and comforted environment to come out of a scene. Aftercare is widely personal and everyones needs should be assessed independently. Aftercare needs should be negotiated up front and agreed upon. For some this might be light, for others this may be more in depth, or for one person this may vary depending on the activity and intensity.
Aibunawa (愛撫繩)
“Caressing style” performed by Yukimura Haruki sensei. Aibunawa ties aren’t too tight so the bottom could think they can escape, instead they are restrictive in a way that allows some sense of freedom. In “semenawa” instead the focus is the torment, ties are tight and there is nothing the bottom can do in order to “resist” to the tie itself. From “aibu”, to caress, and “nawa”, ropes.
Agura shibari
(胡座縛り)
Agura shibari
(胡座縛り)
Tie with crossed legs. From “agura”, lit. “barbaric sitting”, term used to indicate the Western way to sit with crossed legs, and “shibari”, tie. May also be known as “Zazen Shibari” taken from the prayer position of Buddhist monks.
Amatta nawa
(余った縄)
Amatta nawa
(余った縄)
It’s the leftover rope at the end of a tie, exhausted with non-structural or decorative passages. From “amatta”, exceeding, and “nawa”, rope.
Anchor point
Anchor point
An anchor point is any secure point to which rope can be attached. Commonly these are overhead hard points for “suspension” but can also be lateral, such as wall mounted rings/hooks.