Customer Reviews

The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Rope Bondage." Say those words out loud at a party, and most conversations within earshot will likely pause or stop. However, this is often a misunderstood art, an ancient craft that can convey a variety of meanings and experiences for those that choose to explore it, whether you opt to tie or be tied.

You have an excellent instructor in hand here. Midori draws from her childhood upbringing in Japan, her education in psychology, and her experience as a SM player and educator to provide the information presented in this fantastic new publication. You learn the historical place and perspective of rope in Japan, both as an everyday tool and a modern erotic practice, as well as the evolution of rope play in the US.

A variety of traditional Japanese rope ties are both described and illustrated, along with some stunning full-color photos by Craig Morey. Selection and care of rope is covered in good detail, along with basic safety and specific rope bondage concerns. The various positions are presented as consensual, erotic and fun, with some of the easiest and clearest instructions I've ever seen. Models are all ages, shapes, sizes, genders and ethnicities: a most refreshing change from the usual depictions of these practices.

For lovers of restraint in any form, this is an elegant and necessary edition to your library and play life.

Up until now "The Erotic Bondage Handbook" was the most comprehensive reference on rope bondage. However, while "The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage" isn't as comprehensive, I think that it is the better book.

The author Midori is famous for her elaborate rope bondage scenes and this coffee table format book show us why. The front cover is immediately arresting with a woman in partial suspended bondage, standing on one leg, while Midori supports her.

Inside is a brief introduction, and some technical details on types of rope, safety issues and which knots and ties are needed then we are into the techniques.

Eleven ties are described, grouped into seven sections. Each section starts with a full page photograph of the ties described within and the text is enhanced by many clear drawings to show just how to do each tie.

All the ties are simple. Deceptively so. But despite their simplicity once they are tied with care and artistry around a willing body, they produce an effect that can move the viewer (and definitely moves the participants).

I like this book very much, here is someone writing about something that they are not only an expert at, but also who clearly loves what they are doing and the effect it can have on others. Midori writes in a clear, easy style that draws you in and gives you the feeling that with a bit of rope you too can produce results similar to the illustrations.

Imagine..a "coffee table" type book about Japanese rope bondage, complete with instructions and diagrams and some absolutely gorgeous photographs produced by Craig Morey (a photographer who has created some luscious bondage photos over the past few years).

Fetish Diva Midori who has been involved in the San Francisco Bay Area SM scene for years now has created an excellent book about this form of bondage, which can be beautiful and alluring to look at, but for some like me, a daunting task to do well.

Midori must have had people like me in mind, because she describes specific types of this kind of rope bondage, offering step by step instruction and diagrams, along with pictures of the "finished product." The book also offers information about the history of Japanese rope bondage, the different types of rope available, safety, and then discusses seven specific rope bondage "techniques." Among them: simple breast bondage, arm & chest bondage, the beautiful "Tortoise Shell Body Harness," and the "Bamboo Rod."

If you're any kind of "bondage aficionado," be it practioner or simply a "conoisseur," this book is excellent, as well as being a kind of "instruction manual" on Japanese rope bondage.

After the long wait to receive a copy of this book there was a very real fear that it would be a disappointment. After all, Midori may be the "fetish diva" and a "goddess" popular on a nation-wide circuit of demos and workshops with various bdsm orgs, but she's best known as a "queen" of self-promo: she tends to be her own best friend. So it's almost a shock to review her book and declare it wonderful. The introduction is sound without being laborious, the how-to diagrams clear and easy to follow, and the photographs tasteful and inviting.
Midori starts off with a "folkloric" history of the rope in Japan and continues with an analysis of a bondage scene from the perspectives of bottom and top. Chapter II instructs the reader on rope selection and maintenance, and addresses important safety concerns regarding one's roped partner. And it's in Chapter III that Midori diagrams the use of rope for breast, leg and torso restraint, together with a short depiction of the use of the bamboo stretcher and the more common hog-tie. All in all a great introduction to erotic bondage.
It would perhaps have been better if Midori had chosen to lengthen the book. Maybe a bit more on variants in technique, or a more graphic exploration of the mix of rope and suspension. Perhaps she's already envisoning a sequel? If there is another effort it would be nice if she went beyond the scope of the present work and included a contrast/comparison with western bondage à la John Willie, et.al.
If the book has a real fault it's in the bibilography. Credit should be given the many other texts and personalities on both sides of the Pacific who have embraced the sensuality of Japanese bondage (RIP Tammad Rimilia), and to those schools (notably the Baltimore and the Seattle) that appreciate the art and offer instruction to, and workshops for, those with a yearn to learn. With Midori's cosmopolitan background I personally wish she had offered other suggested readings from the Orient, along the lines of the hojo-jutsu texts by Mizukoshi Hiro or Fujita Seiko, for those who wish to delve deeper into sophisticated bondage.
A special hats-off to photographer Craig Morey, whose work helped transform this book from an instruction manual into a genuinely tasteful coffee table addition.
KIHARA

This is an excellent guide for beginners who would like to explore (japanese) BDSM. No, it's not a photografy/art book! In fact there are only a handfull of photographs in it; but YES it is a great book for people who are new to the subject and are curious to find out if japanese BDSM is their thing. I was -and still am- a complete novice in BDSM, but after reading just a little I was able to tie my loved one in a couple of very exciting postures, and will continue to have fun with this book for while to come.
PRO'S:
You get 6 basic postures, from which you can really get an idea of Japanese bondage on different gender and body types -not just slender barbydolls- from which you can improvise numerous new combinations yourself.
The book leads you towards each position in small, quite easy to follow steps with drawn pictures.
You also get a few very clear chapters on the background of Jap. BDSM, but -more important to me- also a good background in rope-type, body types, safety procedures and how to create the right playfull atmosphere. Within this atmosphere you can make the experience either as hardcore of soft and gentle as you please.
CONS
Sometimes -in my opinion as a knot enthousiast- there are little mistakes in the knot-drawings; but for the most the drawings are very clear.
North-Western Europeans watch out with rope length! The author warns for bigger sized western people when she discusses rope lenght, but still from a US perspective! For my slender 1.70m (5.5ft)intermediate length Dutch girlfriend the 8 meter (25ft)rope Midori advises is still quite short. My advise: Buy close to double lengths: You can always use the excess for other exciting ideas.

If you're interested in BDSM with a Japanese bite, this book is certainly worth a try in my opinion. It's really very respective to all sorts of BDSM and apetites. The pics are clear instructive and erotic, but not hardcore pornographic. There's all space to make of BDSM what suits you best.

What more could you want?

This book combines all of these elements through the delicacy and power of intricate ropework encasing and caressing the human form, created by an expert in the art of Japanese bondage, and captured by a master photographer.

But this isn't merely an image book (as if that weren't enough).

True to her first-and-foremost role as an educator, Midori offers step-by-step instructions on how to recreate the bondage shown in Craig Morey's gorgeous and inspiring photographs. The instructional pages and illustrations are clear and amazingly easy to follow.

The history, safety, resources, and materials overviews, plus little extras like a titillating his-and-hers seduction scene, followed by a detailed (and purposeful) scene analysis make this a comprehensive, sexy, and altoghether thoroughly entertaining guide.

I do wish there were more photographs, but that's the petty complaint of a beauty glutton. And this is a beautiful book, a must-have not only for anyone wishing to incorporate ropes into his or her sensual play, but also for anyone who enjoys the human form as art.

Midori is an artist of the human form.

Written by Babydoll1008 (for some reason, this didn't go through with my name...)

Aware of Midori by reputation, a good buddy gifted me with this book. It contains many fine photographs by Craig Morey, of subjects alien and pristine, artfully staged, with occasional flashes of the passion one associates with the images of, say, Imogen Cunningham or Ed Weston. Morey is already noteworthy. I went onward to the text.

Midori is in serious need of an editor. The instructions are obtuse and convoluted, as though Midori does not truly wish us to learn how to the tie the knots, but rather, to revel in the mystery and enchantment with which Midori adorns herself. She writes, "For all the years of my passion for rope, I am still learning. Yes, I have taken my own rope deshi (apprentices) and have taught classes on this topic across the States. Still, as I took on this book, I was acutely aware that I am not one of the masters that I so admire across the Pacific Ocean. Thus, as one who considers herself still very much on the learning path, I am apprehensive. I would not want to fail to teach well to others..." Yes, Midori, you are the Midori-est Midori that ever Midori'd. Make sure no one fails to see the exoticism, Midori, as you, Midori, are compelled to Midori us with the Midori of Midori.

"With luck, this will be my first of a series of books as I continue to grow and learn. Although I might not be one of the senior nawashis (rope masters) of Japan, I am uniquely suited to be your cultural ambassador of kink." For one so 'uniquely suited', she makes a poor diplomat indeed, so grudgingly does she share this culture. One gets the impression that Morey, the photographer, was made to endure much disruption and micromanagement in the taking of the photographs which adorn the text. The reader interested in clear, precise and readable instruction is advised to look elsewhere.

...how people can buy this book and not understand what it's about. Its never billed to be a book full of pictures, and all I've EVER heard of it described as is a "beginners book to shibari", so why are you looking for complex and difficult ties? Beginners aren't looking for that, if you want more, find a different book. If you want an art book, find something else. Midori is beatiful, intelligent, and extremely skilled, and this is an introductory book for newbies, not an "expansion" for enthusiasts who already know the basics.

As a lover of rope bondage, I loved this book. It shows some nice techniques, clear instructions and beautiful pictures. The positions were amazing.

Leave it to Midori and Greenery Press to break new ground in the arena of instructional BDSM Literature. This book is beautiful, easy to follow, and leaves you with an urge to run out to stock up on rope. Though it is no substitute for one-on-one training in this ancient art, it is a responsible medium to get the knowledge to those who have no way of receiving such training. Further, for those who have been doing "this sort of thing" for a while, it is an inspiring refresher.

If you have seen Fetish Diva Midori in person, you can almost hear her sultry voice explain each step clearly and concisely. The instructional illustrations are almost animated from the page. Such love seems to have gone into this book that it takes on a life of its own.

Another thing to note about this book is that it uses REAL looking models of different age, size, gender and heritage. Variety of body type is often lacking in fetish photography books, so I was overjoyed to see a full figured woman beautifully bound in this book.

I greatly look forward to future work from Midori. As she mentions in her introduction, if this book is well received she may consider a more advanced book. Speaking only for myself, not only has it been received well, it has whetted my appetite for more.