Step-by-Step guide to applying the second rope in Gote or Takate Kote patterns
Tying in the Second Rope
First, you’ll need to attach or add the second rope. There are two main approaches:
Continue with the leftover rope from the first line and, when needed, connect a fresh piece directly to it. This is the “classic” method used in schools influenced by Akechi.
If you choose this route, remember to wrap the rope around the central stem after finishing the first line and before starting the second. Keep the wrapping direction consistent.Set aside the first line’s rope and start with a new piece. This method has become increasingly popular and shows clear influence from the Naka style.
In the video demonstration, this is how it’s done—attaching the new rope to the stem just below the first line.
Important tip: Don’t pull so hard that the stem gets distorted—it needs to stay straight. Also, always match the wrapping direction you used for the first line.
Managing the Body While Tying
The purpose of this rope is simple: to guide the body’s management. Keep that in mind as you tie.
As you begin wrapping, add gentle pressure with your forearms (or hands, if you can’t fully reach) to encourage core engagement.
Key reminder: Encouraging engagement doesn’t mean squeezing or pressing excessively. Aim for finesse, not force. Dramatic flair is optional, but the physical application should remain subtle.
If you press too hard, the body can compress excessively, and the first line will lose tension—a clear sign the body wasn’t managed correctly during tying.
Sad Smile, Happy Smile
We’re working with forces and vectors here, which is why each rope naturally looks different.
From the front, the first line resembles a “sad smile” :(, with its corners angled downward.
The second line looks more like a “happy smile” :), the corners curving upward.
This distinction is important for the person tying. The angle dictates where the load is focused and communicates to the body how much core activation is required.
Placement on the arm depends heavily on anatomy, so feedback from the person tied is essential. Generally, the rope should rest on the muscle, using its shape to guide the humerus upward toward the shoulder anchor point.
On the front of the body, the ropes should sit at the lower thorax, along the costal margin, above the abdomen.
Once more: the rope should not be too tight.
The Tied Person’s Response
While being tied, the person must stay active—engaging their core and pushing back against the forces created by the ropes.
Their input is crucial. Clear feedback ensures the rope is placed properly and the technique functions as intended.
For safety, the person tied bears responsibility for identifying the right rope position.
In personal or intimate settings, stay mindful and communicative. If the person tying seems hesitant or misplaces the rope, point it out gently. They cannot feel what you feel inside your own body.
How Many Wraps Around the Body?
Since the purpose is tactile feedback, one wrap is not enough, while three wraps are excessive and dilute the effect.
Two wraps around the body (a double rope pass) strike the best balance.
Closing the Line
In this style, each rope segment is treated as a distinct piece, minimizing how forces transfer between them.
For the first line, we use a double cross: starting bottom to top, then reversing the rope’s path before returning down the opposite side of the stem. This locks the rope securely, creating a strong anchor for additional ropes in more advanced structures.
For the second line, the approach is different. Since it doesn’t bear as much tension, we finish it with a knot called the half-moon.
To tie it, gather the ropes first from the side where the rope originates, then include those laid in the wrapping direction. This keeps everything neat and compact.
Final reminder: Every knot or friction used to close a line must be pulled firmly with no slack left behind. When loads are applied, even a few millimeters of looseness can shift tension and compromise stability.