We have long been in collective awe of tutorials, particularly anything coming out of Japan, but there is a tendency to be uncritical of people’s work in general. It is simply not the done thing to express anything but adulation, even for the most dubious rope work posted in Joe Public’s online profile, never mind the work of the great and famous. Why is it we can critically examine the Bible or the work of any expert, yet if we critique a rigger, a fatwah ensues?
My concern is that we accept too much without due consideration when we should be able to examine the work critically as we do with any art, even that of great classical artists etc.. We should become educated enough to see when one of the exalted is tying exceptionally well or has made a mistake. They are human and not infallible. They have ‘off days’ and days where they are truly at one with rope and partner. They are just like the rest of us. It’s simply that their ‘on days’ might produce far better results and their ‘off days’ are less off and frequent. If we understand what makes one thing right and another wrong, we can spot our own mistakes. When we know which is which, we know which to emulate. Thus, we progress.
Recently, a masked super-hero has emerged on Fetlife, TheAngryNawashi, with the mission, it appears of busting a few myths, reclaiming the Japanese interpretation of shibari and making us think. He is not afraid to speak out and make criticism of a number of well-known riggers and reference sources. He has directed his attention at both western educators and some in Japan. Whilst I can’t support the level of disrespect he shows to some, I feel we have long needed somebody to cure us of the Emperor’s New Clothes Syndrome which prevents anyone daring to critique the idols or even their own peers. By sweeping away chaff, he is exposing more wheat for us to consume.
I see him like visits to the dentist. Not always pleasant, often painful, but ultimately beneficial. The medicine required to cure Emperor’s New Clothes Syndrome is bitter. If we end up viewing our own work and that of the ‘idols’ more critically, all to the good. We might then follow better examples so improving our art. I believe that there are a number of lesser deity and not being able to differentiate serves to cloud our view. In the west, producing a tutorial or setting oneself up as an educator does not make the author a rope god. We seem to forget that Japan is not exempt from this either. Various skill levels exist. Take a look at SM Sniper or the like, you will see incompetent rope work along aside that of the true gods.
I think TheAngryNawashi has done us a great service by daring to mention that he cannot see the Emperor’s New Clothes. It gives others insight that not all that glitters is gold and the courage to say so. He says of himself:
“I am your friends, lovers, families, and partners. You already know us. These truths we speak have already been exchanged in our shared experiences.
This mask is but a shadow cast by those which you are already intimately familiar with.
TheAngryNawashi can only show you that which you already knew in your heart.
TheAngryNawashi tries to teach many things that cannot be taught.
You must learn.
Listen more, talk less, tie always.
TheAngryNawashi is watching over you.”
We will enter a new era once we develop critical faculties. In doing so, it is worth remembering that the the following do not guarantee good shibari:
a) Being Japanese
b) Calling yourself by a Japanese name
c) Calling yourself nawashi/sensei/kinbakushi something or other. Combining more than one of these titles almost guarantees the opposite.
d) Adding a hanko or kanji to your web site
e) Taking nice pictures. How many times have I gone “Wow!” then looked closer and said “Oh dear…”?
f) Being well known
g) Having a cool web site
i) Umpteen years of experience
j) Creating tutorials or being a BDSM educator
k) Experience as a sailor, mountaineer, scout, rope rescue, arborist etc.
l) Tuition directly by the gods of shibari
m) Ownership of genuine asanawa purchased in Japan
n) Official nawashi shades
o) Japanese clothing
p) Being able to do a couple of well-rehearsed show routines.
q) Speaking/reading Japanese
l) Watching videos or reading books, Japanese or otherwise
m) Having Japanese ancestory or partner
o) Erh, that’s it for now