Some years ago, I wondered whether, at some stage, the best riggers would no longer come from Japan and it could become a national pastime where they get beaten at their own game…a bit like us lot and cricket 🙂
I honestly think the race is becoming much closer judging by the overall standard that I observe here and on various feeds.
A few years ago, only a limited number of people in the west could tie a decent TK. In fact, I recall a time when Osada Steve reckoned that number to be one in my early days learning his version. Now, I see them everywhere and the standard of tying is increasing exponentially.
I wouldn’t be so rash as to speculate who is chasing the Japanese hard as I don’t get out enough these days to have half an idea. Anyway, it’s more a feeling, like “With that many planets, there must be other life”, based on seeing so much nice work these days. Again, it is also hard to tell from photos as that’s one frozen moment that might have taken a dozen reties and some Photoshopping. Look how many people were fooled by my infamous 写真屋吊り (foto-shoppu tsuri), one toe suspension 😀 Same goes to a lesser extent for video as you can fix a lot in post, as I well know from editing 100’s of show videos.
I think we are well-advanced in the art of replicating the ties of some of the masters. It began with everyone and his dog mastering Osada’s TK’s and yoko zuri. Now we have added a few other styles as more Japanese sensei expose us to their teaching. We are rivalling the Chinese now for knock-off goods 😀 Even the traademark Osada lower lip, protruding in concentration, has be copied numerous times! That always makes me smile.
We are now seeing a second stage where there are signs of that knowledge being applied creatively, rather than just parroting. Innovation is creeping in as we utilise the ingredients to create new ties or improve existing forms. Not only that but both Japanese and western riggers are combining it with other arts or skills. Kinoko has been breaking tradition for some while with his cyber rope and tying natural objects like trees and rocks and Arisue added dance. However, in the west, perhaps being less bound by tradition, it is becoming mixed with circus, burlesque, ballet, art and, most recently, even tight wire!
Of course, we will always be somewhat in awe of Japan as it has the mystique and authenticity. Whilst we will never get inside the same mind-set, I’m not sure that makes it better. An English cultural heritage doesn’t seem to have improved our cricket scores 🙂 There will always, in my opinion, be some element of the Emperor’s New Clothes but I believe the race is becoming closer.