A is for

A.B.O.K. is The Ashley Book of Knots, first published in 1944 by Clifford W. Ashley. It is an authoratative and wiell-respected guide to knots and frictions. Each knot is given a unique ID which you will sometimes see in descriptions of shibari knots in the format ABOK #number.

Aftercare refers to looking after, providng reasurance, and meeting the needs of someone after the rope comes off. This takes different forms depending on the needs of the people involved and the intensity of the scene but is an integral part of a rope scene.

Any tie in which the person who is bound has their legs tied in a cross legged position.

'caressing rope'. The word aibu can also be translated as fondling. This word refers to a style of tying created by Yukimura Haruki that has been very influntential on the world of Shibari and can be contrasted with semenawa (tormenting rope).

Highly respected and influential Japanese rigger 1940-2005

'Leftover rope'. The attached rope that is left over after a rope pattern has been completed.

An anchor point is any secure point which can be tied to. It should not be a piece of furniture that can topple over when pulled on, but might be a bed post, or a hook that has been safely secured to a wall.

Aomuke is a Japanise word meaning 'on your back', Aomuke refers to any face up suspension

Ara-nawa is a Japanese word which literally means rough rope, it is however mostly used to refer to rope made from straw.

Highly respected Japanise Rigger born in 1954. Arisue lives in Tokyo and works as a kinbaku performer, tutor and author, occasionally giving workshops abroad.

Asa 麻 refers to plant based fibres, so this could be translated as 'natural rope', however it is often translated as Hemp rope, causing some confusion as it is also used for Jute rope.

Sometimes abbreviated as A.B.O.K. The Ashley Book of Knots first published in 1944 by Clifford W. Ashley is a widely respected and authoritative guide to knots and frictions. Each knot is given a unique ID which you will sometimes see in descriptions of shibari knots in the format ABOK #number.