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Rope Notes
Rope Notes
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<P>ROPE NOTES - Nawa Shibari or Hojo-jutsu or Hojojutsu</P>
</font></B><I></I>
<P><FONT FACE="Verdana" SIZE=2><I>Excerpt from 'Fetters Files' by </i></font><A
HREF="mailto:fetters_int@hotmail.com?SUBJECT=Rope_Notes_mail"><I><FONT FACE="Ver
dana">Jim
Stewart</font></I></A><I><FONT FACE="Verdana">, </FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana" SIZE
=2>©
March 2000</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana" SIZE=1> </FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana" SIZE=2
>-
all rights reserved worldwide</font></i></P>
<FONT FACE="Verdana" SIZE=2>
<P><B><A NAME="top"></A>So-called "Japanese Rope Bondage"</b> as a topic should
perhaps be indexed in any SM oriented literature under 'S' for so-called or 'P'
for pseudo. The ancient tradition of ritualised rope restraint (Hojo-jutsu), wit
h
different configurations and rope colours signifying the status of the prisoner
and even the nature of the crime, is shrouded in history and some deliberate sec
recy.
Reliable information on the subject is thin on the ground and, in modern Japan
the original function is now not only totally obsolete but probably illegal in
terms of Human Rights.</P>
<P>On the other hand, the erotic appeal of these elaborately ritualistic practic
es
struck a powerful chord in mid-20th century S&M communities. Precisely when
the few available authentic pictures and modern interpretations first entered
the consciousness of the homoerotic sub-culture I'm not sure. This information
is, I hope, already recorded in the National Leather Archive. Japanese-style rop
e
harnesses were certainly appearing in bars and magazine pictures by the early
Sixties.</P>
<P><B>The physical, visual, tactile or emotional turn-on</b> of any sort of ropi
ng
covers a lot of different territories. Used in games of Cops and Robbers rope
is usually just a practical control device in the absence of handcuffs. In grown
-up
Cowboys & Indian or urban commando scenarios the tying may extend to punishm
ent,
torture or challenge. Would-be Escape Artists like to be left to struggle but
are sometimes disappointed when they succeed. Wrestling somebody into ropes invo
lves
skill, stamina and only appeals to a minority. Intricate decorative Japanese-sty
le
body roping can be dismissed as Macramé by those who take more pleasure
in what happens after somebody is restrained. But for lovers of tactile, suspens
eful
and protracted physical restraint games, the process and resulting physical pred
icament
can be the main focus of the event.</P>
<P><B>The few available authentic Hojo-jutsu illustrations</b> have sparked a
lot of creative imagination, because the ancient drawings offer very little prac
tical
help. So, improvisation on a stylistic theme has spawned a sub-category in bonda
ge
game playing which perhaps needs a more appropriate name. </P>
<P>Complicated rope harnesses can be fun or agony to wear socially. Worn under
tight leather, the feel for both the wearer and roaming fingers of a stranger
can create their own thrill. Elaborate roping over leather is another stimulatin
g
visual statement and physical experience. Such body netting can also be self-app
lied
with a little ingenuity, which opens up the field. Interpretation has become the
name of the 'genre'. Even sessions attempting to decode the ancient woodcuts can