noun
Refers to physical restraints, fetters, or the state of being tied up. Often used in literary or historical contexts.
囚人は縛めを解かれた。
The prisoner was released from his bonds.
彼は縛めにつながれていた。
He was held in bondage.
Usually means 'admonition' or 'warning', not physical bonds. The kanji 戒め can be an irregular spelling for 'bonds', but this usage is rare and easily confused with the common meaning.
A more common word for 'restraint' or 'bondage', used both literally and figuratively. 縛め is more archaic and specifically physical.
Derived from the verb 縛る (しばる, 'to bind'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the form いましめ may be a nominalized form related to classical Japanese.