I spent this afternoon photographing and documenting the 30 steps of my own box-tie this afternoon. It is the culmination of a series of experiments to come up with a version that doesn’t use conventional cinches, yet has sufficient stability and benefits from the comfort factor of an extra upper wrap. Why did I bother? Firstly, out of a desire to do something quite different from the ubiquitous Kanna/Akechi derivatives that are being taught by Osada/Kinoko and their disciples. I should hasten to say that I am not pitching my version against these tried and tested solutions or claiming any degree of superiority. However much I might love it, it’s just that there is a limit to how many times I can see it or do it and remain interested, sometimes you just need something new…a bit like being married really 😀
Albeit owing much to Kazami Ranki’s first-hand tuition, it also combines elements drawn from studying the work of such notables as Yukimura. It owes more to old style, than the ‘vorsprung durch technic’ school that see,s to be the fashion. At this stage, it is very much work in progress and it will continue to be fine-tuned. Already, the top wrap and friction at the front have changed since I was showing the first version at Schwelle 7 in Berlin. I’m not sure which nawashi’s work yielded that idea but it was defintely in one of Sugiura’s pictures. I shall be showing my master class students in Australia the latest version. I’ll be interested to see how it goes down. Here’s a pdf file with instructions: Esinem style takate-kote. You will need to click the link again when it take you to the next page. It is still work in progress and I think I might add a lower cinch to improve the security of the lower wraps.
Some initial experiments with adding a third rope, coming up from the waist, have been made to solidify the structure by creating reverse tension. Thank you, Nina, for spotting that trick. It works a treat and looks beautiful. Now all I need to do is figure out the best way, define its limitations and codify it.