Japanese-English shibari glossary: Ue no Nawa (上の繩). Upper rope or first line in gote-type forms: its structural role in the tie.

It literally means “upper rope”.

It refers to the set of ropes that structure and control the upper part of the body, especially the torso, shoulders and collarbone area, within a tie.

In a gote-type form, it refers to the “first line”.

It is not necessarily a specific knot, but a structural function within the rope system, creating an enveloping line of tension that:

• connects the arms to the torso;
• allows the body to “respond” to the rope.