Yaoi Paddle

A yaoi paddle was a wooden paddle with the word "YAOI" printed on or burnt into the paddle end, used for spanking people. It was a common sight among fans of yaoi who attended anime conventions, primarily in North America and other western countries, in the mid-2000s. They were produced primarily by the doujinshi vendor Hendane! Their ubiquitous presence at cons unfortunately caused much misfortune, and many wielders of yaoi paddles injured several con-goers. By 2010, most major cons had banned the use of yaoi paddles as a result.
In addition to the signature "YAOI" printed on each side of the paddle, one side says "softcore side" and the other "hardcore side." It is unknown if there is any structural difference between the two sides, but it is unlikely. A standard paddle is around 25 inches (64 cm) long.Yaoi paddle on the Spanking Art wiki
==History==
The initial yaoi paddle was created in 2002 as a gag gift for the owner of Hendane!, a vendor of yaoi doujinshi at anime conventions. According to the testimony of akicafe (archived), the creator of the original paddle:
Reportedly, yaoi paddles were first sold at Otakon 2002. The yaoi paddle grew in popularity after Hendane! began selling them at Anime Expo and other conventions. Their popularity meant Hendane! began mass-producing them, and could depend on selling them at cons to make a profit. Whether the original creator of the yaoi paddle consented to this mass production is debatable. In 2005, the paddle was upgraded following splintering and breakage reports.Yaoi Paddle Upgrade, by AnimeNewsNetwork, posted 2nd of June 2005. Other designs were also available, such as the yuri paddle, or the seme/uke paddles, but the yaoi paddle remained the most popular. Paddles were sold for a standard price of US$35 each.
===Use===
While some con-goers would use them as props for cosplay, many others used them to show appreciation for cosplayers, or simply to make mischief. Many yaoi paddle wielders would use the paddles to spank cosplayers whose costumes or characters they liked, and some cosplayers would jokingly asked to be spanked with the yaoi paddle for fun, or for a photo opportunity. Many fans would ask permission and only lightly spank, but some fans would spank cosplayers without consent, and not always gently. Among some paddle wielders, the practice later extended to non-cosplaying attendees and occasionally convention centre staff. Many cosplayers and con attendees were injured - usually bruised - due to the misuse of the yaoi paddle.
Reportedly, a fan suffered a shattered pelvis and was left as a wheelchair user for many years after being hit by the side edge of another fan's yaoi paddle, and the paddle wielder was arrested and placed in prison. However, this turn of events is disputed since there is next to no major news coverage of such an unusual event. The pelvis is also very difficult to "shatter"; most pelvic fractures are minor and the more serious injuries normally occur due to major trauma and crush injuries, such as being in a road traffic accident. It's likely that this report was just a rumor or an exaggeration.
The use of yaoi paddles can be seen in many vlogs of conventions found across the internet.
===Decline===
Con attendees and cosplayers began getting fed up of being spanked or injured by those wielding yaoi paddles, and began complaining on online forums about them, along with other fan behaviours like glomping. The yaoi paddle was first banned by Sakura-Con 2007. As Sakura-Con's Policies state under the Weapons section, "Paddles (all varieties-including 'yaoi paddles') are not allowed."About Us - Policies, accessed December 2019
Allegedly, according to a response to the question "Will yaoi/yuri paddles be banned at Kumoricon?" on Kumoricon's forum:
This was followed by several others, leading to a ban in almost every major North American convention by 2010. MCM Comic Con London, however, did not ban their use until 2013, but faced many petitions by con attendees before relenting. Hendane! last sold paddles at j-popcon 2011 in Denmark.
==Fan Comments==
===2006===
===2007===
===2009===
Description of Yaoi paddle madness at AWA by Inaritricx, a con vlog showing cosplayers using a yaoi paddle on each other:
===2010===
===2017===
===2018===
===2019===
==Fanworks==
===Fanart===
* Yaoi Paddle Xemnas by SharpAnimationInc: "If Xemnas were to replace his aerial blades for a different weapon..." (2007)
* SasoDei -LOVE CHASE- by GaarasBabe: "Deidara's got a magical yaoi paddle and sasori is running for his life XD" (2008)
* ..:: Who's Uke and Seme? ::.. by Ambiko: "Demyx: He's Uke. Zexion: I hope you die..." (2008)
* Yaoi Paddle by FRAGF0X: fursona (2008)
* Kawaiidesu Yami Papercraft by tsunyandere: "The character item is a yaoi paddle instead of a knife this time." (2011)
* Request: C/D Yaoi Paddle by cripspy: featuring Cable/Deadpool (2018)
===Cosplay===
* Hayner wields a paddle, 2007
* Orochimaru paddles Sasuke, 2008
* Megatron wields a paddle, 2008
* Naruto wields a paddle, 2010
===Crafts===
* Yaoi Paddle by ChibiAngel86: sculpted oven bake clay cellphone charm (2009)
* Yaoi paddle by DesertedRose: original paddle design (2009)
* yaoi paddle X3 by Spottedmask022: original paddle design (2010)
* Keychains by LTDQTY (2017)
==Further Information==
* Page one and page two of Yaoi/Yuri wooden paddle discussion, posted by Kitsu in 2008.
* Where did Yaoi Paddles come from?, asked by Toshinou Kyouko and answered by Dimitri mx, August 2015.
* The Rise and Fall of the Yaoi Paddle 2.0 (video) by Red Bard, July 2020.
==References==
Category:2019 Featured Articles
Category:Costuming
Category:Yaoi Fandom
Category:Scandals
Category:Social Media Feature