Gote, takate kote and ushiro takate kote are the names we commonly use for the most recognizable tie in shibari: “the gote”.
It is an iconic harness that wraps the torso with the arms behind the back, creating a distinctive image in which the geometry of the ropes and the posture of the body merge in balance and harmony.
The gote is usually associated with simple applications, mostly intended for restraint and floor-work techniques, while the takate tends to be linked to more elaborate forms used in suspension and acrobatics.
Although they are similar forms and techniques, they differ both in approach and in execution.
Meaning of gote (後手) in Japanese
後手 (gote) is a Japanese compound noun made up of:
- 後 (go): “behind”, “after”, “what comes next”.
- 手 (te): “hand”, “movement”, “move”, “turn”.
Together, 後手 literally means “the hand behind” or “the next move”, depending on the context.
This interpretation, the “responding move”, perfectly defines how this form is used in active shibari styles such as sekibaku.
For the erotic interaction of sekibaku, we choose the interpretation tied to teamwork and dialogue, that is:
- the one who does not initiate, but responds to the other's move;
- the second response in a turn-based game.
Note: not to be confused with 小手 (kote), forearm.
A variant is the kagi gote (鉤後手), so called because the hands crossed behind the back resemble a hook (kagi, 鉤). It usually arises as a variation of the standard tie, although it can also be sought from the start. It is a technical application that demands a wide range of shoulder mobility and calls for particular care with lumbar stability; by using body tension to press the hips, it allows shikake nawa (仕掛け繩) techniques to be applied.
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