Review by Master "K"

Simply by virtue of its being the first "how to" kinbaku book in English by a major Japanese bakushi, Arisue Go's excellent "Arisue Go's Kinbaku - Mind and Techniques" becomes a "must have" addition to the library of any serious Western rope practitioner. Long recognized as one of the most prolific Japanese rope masters, Arisue has done the shibari for numerous mainstream and adult films, books and magazines and he brings his countless hours of experience to this modestly sized but extremely useful volume.

The book consists of an introductory mini biography of Arisue Go which is then followed by a short piece describing his philosophy of kinbaku. The rest of the book is then taken up with practical advice, including chapters on: making your own kinbaku rope, properly coiling rope, safety considerations, how to create the famous Gote upper body tie (suitable for use doing suspensions), the Utsubase zuri (face down suspension), the Yoko zuri (sideways suspension) and the Aomuke zuri (face up suspension) which is then turned into a Sakasa zuri (head down) variation. Each of these chapters is profusely illustrated with clear, small, Black and White photographs that detail every turn of the rope and necessary technique. Also included at the beginning and end of the book are 2 modest but nicely photographed galleries of kinbaku stills in color and Black and White.

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