by
Peter Fiske
Article
originally appeared in Checkmate 13
November 1995
Article
appears courtesy of Checkmate Incorporating
DungeonMaster and Peter Fiske
Published
by
Telecentral Electronic - P.O. BOX 354 - Wyoming PA 18644
717-655-2880
http://www.checkmatemag.com
The art of caning is
ancient, going back to Egypt, China and Rome, and
continuing today for pleasure and as judicial punishment in
over a dozen
countries. This article covers caning for pleasure and punishment;
also
various types of caning and instruments, safety and cautionary
notes from
a "bottom".
Caning
Through The Ages
The
British Museum has a stone carving which shows Assyrian slaves
dragging a colossal figure while a overseer holds a cane or
stick to beat
them (ca.1500-1800 B.C.). At the same time in Egypt the rod
was used by
taskmasters. In Rome the rod or "fasis" (bundle of
rods) was a symbol of
the authority of the Roman State, and it was used in the Legions
as a
punishment for minor faults.
In
the middle ages the rod was used in monetarist and schools,
continuing
to this day, and medieval schools originated the "birch"
or "birch rod" (a
bundle of switches) used on bare buttocks, which continued in
use until the
1880"s on the Isle of Man to punish young men.
Modern
caning and birching began in Georgian England. The Nilgiri or
British school cane (now rare as it is both outlawed in schools,
and the
canes themselves are from a protected area in eastern India)
was an
extremely severe instrument that has a whole "culture"
about it's use. Dr.
Keate of Eton began caning in 1809 and his exploits are legendary.
He is
reported to have caned 80 boys (a whole school division) in
an afternoon
and then returned to lunch as placid as usual. Dr. Keate used
a birch too,
but by mid-Victorian times the school cane was more used than
the birch.
A whole
culture has grown up around British school caning. Movies, books
and many practitioners keep it alive even today. The flogging
block, the
library, the cane, all have sexual and S/M connotations for
generations of
boys and men. Early canings and birchings were bloody affairs
and boys
were sometimes scarred for life.
Today's
canings on the buttocks (over trousers or gym shorts) are still
severe whether the person is over the "gym horse"
or kneeling at the
"block".
The
Nilgiri cane swishes through the air, wielded by a strong youth
or
headmaster... Officially British schools generally outlawed
the cane by the
end of the 1970's. Today it still exists in a few private ("public")
schools in
England and elsewhere. (See the movie, "IF" (1968)
for a good school
caning.)
Caning
as pleasure probably began when canings were given as
punishments. Mrs. Berkely in Georgian England invented an apparatus
for
caning and whipping at her "berkely horse" (actually
a tilted frame). She
made a fortune from it's use. Prostitutes in England (male and
female) still
use the cane regularly.
In
America the cane was used in private school, perhaps still is.
At Inferno
XXIII I was involved in a severe caning scene for punishment
of a man who
was insubordinate during an interrogation scene. Although the
count was
only 10 strokes the buttocks had distinct marks from each one
and showed
his welts (parallel lines often indicate severe strokes). He
showed off his
welts at dinner and was super horny for 3 days.
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Caning
Instruments
There
are two principal types of canes in use today. Bamboo is quite
stiff
and has ringed joints or ridges every few inches. Rattan has
slight leaf
joints which are smooth. It is more flexible than bamboo and
should be
favored for that reason. A third type, The Nilgiri or school
cane, is stronger
than common rattan and can be whippy. But, since Nilgiri comes
from
eastern India and Bengal, it grows in the habitat of the Bengal
Tiger where
both are protected.
School
canes have a crook in the handle, used to hang up the canes
and as
a grip. The crook end presses against the back of the hand to
steady it and
to prevent slipping while applying strokes. School canes are
28 to 36 inched
long, and are 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter. The tip end should
be rounded to
help avoid accidental deep wounds. A "Singapore cane"
is about 4 feet (ca.
1.2 meter) long and 1/2 inch (12 to 14 mm) in diameter. Such
a rod can be
brutal.
The
"birch rod" is a bundle of switches bound together
to make a handle.
The birch switches spray out at the end. The official birch
is 40 to 48 inches
long, weighs 9 to 12 ounces. It is soaked in water before use.
It becomes
brittle as it ages, and readily breaks up with use. Fresh rods
are best. Birch
is not the only suitable wood, as any green hardwood switch
will do, e.g.,
apple, peach, etc., and even willow. The genitals must be protected,
especially if the legs are parted!
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Positions
The
ideal position for caning is for the bottom to be lying down
and bent
over at least slightly. When standing he is leaning forward
with his butt
stuck out, as in paddling. But, remember it is easier to apply
the cane with
the bottom flat rather than standing up. The legs should be
spread apart
(restraints help), which reduces the clenching of the buttocks.
A standing
bottom will tend to receive diagonal welts across the far buttock;
whereas,
when lying down both sides are easier to strike and stripe equally.
(See
illustrations below.) Or, if the bottom kneels at a raised block
the butt will
offer a proper target.
| |
|
standing bottom |
lying
bottom
|
I use
a half-rounded a-block to get a bottom slightly bent over. (It
is a half
drum/barrel, padded metal, with a center hole to hide the bottom's
genitals, and via the end openings he can play with himself
during the
caning.) Caning for me usually comes at the end of a corporal
punishment
or play scene, as the caning is the most severe and it cuts
or marks the
most. Also, after a session with belts, paddles or whips the
buttocks are
"leathered", which helps keep welts from being too
severe.
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Caning
and Safety
Canings
should be on the buttocks only. The strokes should cover the
butt.
It is hard and injurious for a bottom to take all the strokes
within a narrow
band. The tip end should not strike the body. The strokes should
be
perpendicular to the surface; angular strokes make bruising
cuts. Avoid
slicing strokes, too. Wrapping on to the sides of the butt (flanks
and hips) is
painful and leaves a long-lasting, deep mark. Never strike the
genitals! A
protective belt-pad should be used to protect the kidneys if
the bottom is
not restrained. A proper, concentrated aim to the ass cheeks
is very
important.
Caning
can be done (with a light, short 12 to 24 inch cane) on the
thighs,
front and back, but should be done carefully. In Victorian times
canes were
sometimes used on the palms of hands...but this is very severe
and
dangerous.
Although
I have caned a back (lightly) this is too severe for most people.
Feet can also be caned as in bastinado (as done by Turks), but
most people
would object. (Read James Morier, Hajji Baba of Ispahan, Chapter
12.)
I give
school canings where the bottom must wear white shorts and socks
and count each "cut". Otherwise, a bare ass is required-it
is best to see the
next suitable area. I also give severe punishment scenes a la
Singapore,
but usually only 6 or 12 strokes as heavy cane leaves major
welts than can
last for months.
I make
the canee pick his canes and I soak them in a tall bottle for
several
hours to make them supple and less likely to split (a single
tape wrap at
the end helps avoid splitting), and they are more severe. A
pack of cards can be used (or dice) to add an element of chance to a scene.
Ass play
after caning is fun and bottoms generally like it.
**Various
caning implements that John and Robin use. Lexan rods
(NEVER, EVER use any plastic rods except Lexan. Lexan does not
break,
all other plastics do. When they do, they can break with a sharp
end that can
have an edge as sharp as a razor. When buying one, ALWAYS ask
if it is Lexan or the generic form, (polycarbonate) rattan,
the body of various
riding crops.
Counting
strokes or "cuts" in sixes or dozens is very traditional
in England
and elsewhere. I have given up to 12 dozen (144 "cuts"
plus 6 more for a
round number), but this was a very severe caning. I give "cuts"
in clusters
of 6 or 12. This not only follows tradition but allows the pain
to be absorbed
and the endorphins to do their work. A good school caning can
last two or
more hours with pauses.
I like
to give a "whip massage" (see DM 49) and often use
caning to
punctuate the reaching of a number of lashes. For instance,
I'll do a
hundred strokes with whips and straps, and then the bottom gets
6 or 12
with the cane, and after that a "rest period".
As
in any scene where blood is a factor, canes and the ass of the
bottom
must be cleaned and treated when finished. Alcohol is the traditional
cleaner and the sting can be part of the scene. The cane(s)
should be
cleaned thoroughly and then stored for at least a few days days
before
using it/them on someone else. I use alcohol and then clean
the cane with
"Simple Green", which kills just about anything from
HIV to Hepatitis. *read
Hanson commentary on cleaning below
Canes
produce very distinct marks which remain for hours, days or
even
weeks or months depending on the instrument and the severity
of the
strokes or "cuts". The results are very visible and
leave the bottom horny
for a long time. "Cuts" that wrap often leave the
longest lasting scares,
and the tip end should not strike the body. Strokes should be
given from
both sides to spread the marks and keep each buttock somewhat
equal
with the other. Severe "cuts" will leave initial parallel
white lines, and
possible real skin breaks or cuts. A person lying flat will
receive these more
than one who is at least slightly bent over.
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Marks
If
a "punishment" caning is given (i.e., no warm-ups),
the "cuts" are much
more painful and likely to leave marks that last for weeks.
I distinctly
separate "play" and "punishment". Where
two "cuts" intersect, the mark
lasts longer and is called a "diamond" or "star".
Boys were often judged by
how many "diamonds" they had. The more they had the
greater their
merit. (see illustration.)
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Judicial
Punishments
Singapore
Caning
The
Singapore cane is soaked in water too. The legal limit is 24
strokes.
The officer carrying out the caning is selected on the basis
of proficiency
and fitness, sometimes for his skill in the martial arts. The
prisoner is
strapped onto a wooden "trestle" with his groin over
a padded table edge.
He is strapped to the trestle with leather cuffs on his wrists
and ankles.
Every caning sentence is usually carried out in a single session
with a
doctor and prison official in attendance. The doctor examines
the prisoner
before and during the caning to insure medical fitness. After
the caning the
prisoner is given treatment with antibiotics and bandages. Strokes
are
given at roughly half-minute intervals and at full strength.
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Birching
(Judicial)
The
prisoner is strapped to a triangle (an easel). His feet are
spread and
bound to the front two legs. He bends over the connecting horizontal
padded bar, and his wrists are bound to the back, third leg
of the triangle.
(Or, he straddles a vaulting horse with his legs and wrists
bound to the
legs, leaving the butt perfectly spread and positioned for flogging.)
The
birch is soaked in water to make it supple. It is 40 inches
long for boys and
48 inches long for adults. After two or three strokes the birch
draws blood
(!) and it can break up after only a few (three to six) strokes,
so a fresh
birch is needed. Sometimes up to four birches can be used to
give 18 to 24
strokes. The birch is given across the bare buttocks at a rate
of several
strokes a minute in front of the prison Governor and medical
officer. The
medical officer should be able to see the prisoner's face at
all times, and he
may stop the punishment at any time. Maximum strokes: 24.
Countries
using judicial caning include Brunei, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Trinidad,
United Arab Emirates, Yeman and Zimbabwe. In South Africa 75,000
men were caned between 1986 and 1994. However, the South African
cane is lighter than the Singapore cane.
In
conclusion, caning can be a very intense and wonderful scene
either by
itself or in combination with whipping, strapping, paddling
or other corporal
punishments. It can be done with bondage or without. Many different
styles or scenes can be done, from playful to severe punishments
scenes.
The marks of the cane can be quite beautiful and long lasting,
but not
injurious to one's health. Caning brings out the endorphins
and leaves the
bottom turned-on for hours or days...and probably better behaved,
too.
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A
Bottoms Comments
-
Please alternate sides of delivery so that both buttocks
are equally fully
marked. This increases tolerance.
..
-
Please avoid striking or wrapping the flanks and hips. "Cuts"
into the
crease take along time to heal.
..
-
Please pause after several rapid "cuts" to allow
this bottom to regain his
breath and absorb his pains. Tops should follow the bottom's
breathing
patterns and look for the "cue" before the next
stroke(s),
e.g. raising the
ass to present it for the next "cut".
..
-
Both parties should judge the play session and when it is
time to stop.
The intensity of the play is a determining factor. Breaks/pauses
are most
helpful for extended play. If there is a break of a few hours
between play
sessions another "warm-up" is appreciated.
..
-
The
bottom is often a poor judge of his wounds, but he may later
realize it is best to stop. He can trust his top not to make
hamburger of his ass. A heavy session can take the bottom's
breath away, causing
considerable fatigue and faintness, as well as serious
wounds.
..
-
After
the session the bottom may need affection and touching, just
as he needs to express his appreciation to his Top. After
the session the bottom may need affection as much as the
alcohol or antibiotics to heal his physical wounds.
..
-
Throughout the play the bottom needs to feel that his Top
enjoys his
labors, the sound of the strokes and yelps, and the sight of
his marked and
writhing body. The Top, by experience, knows and should observe
that his
bottom wants his painful beating.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with
Peter Fiske, Peter is a member of
The Chicago Hellfire Club, Delta International and a founding
member
of the 15 in San Francisco. He has been involved in the S/M
scene for
the ten years that we've know him plus many years before. He
is both
bottom and top.
Peter has written many articles for publications such as Dungeon
Master,
Drummer, many of the Brush Creek Media Publications and many
other
publications. He is a well known practitioner of SAFE and
SANE S/M and is very involved in the S/M and Gay communities
on the whole.
*
NOTE FROM ABOVE: Peeled rattan can not
be cleaned effectively because
it acts like a sponge that readily absorbs all body fluids that
it comes
in contact with. Bamboo and un-peeled rattan have a bark which
is
much less permeable. These can be cleaned. Our official stance
is: peeled
rattan is never to be on more than one person. Either write
the
bottoms name on the cane with an indelible marker of or give
it to them
for safe keeping. Your bottoms will appreciate that fact that
you care about
their well being by showing them that you are safe in the handling
and care of your toys.
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