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John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
I have a video clip of Takagi doing a cut and restore rope trick with a spectator.
It starts with him stretching 2 ~4" ropes into 2 5' ropes, he then turns it into a single ~10' long rope. Holding an end in each hand, he has the spectator hand him the middle of the rope, which is openly displayed between his two hands (which still hold the ends). He then lets the spectator cut the rope in the middle that she just handed to him, and soon restores the rope to one piece (after bit of by-play of the ropes needing to be trimmed and retrimmed to exactly even lengths). There isn't much new here, but it is a nice set of moves, creating a impressive routine. My question is in regard to the cut that the spectator makes. Right after the spec. hands him the middle of the rope, the display looks like an end coming out the top of each fist, the middle stretched horizontally between the two fists, and a separate loop hanging down from each fist. I hope that is reasonably clear, because I would like to know where that portion is taught. I have been able to reverse-engineer it - it has some similarities to the Hindu Turban Mystery, but the handling for getting from the initial (fair) display, to the similar looking modified display for the cut and restore, is something that I could not find in my references, and I would like to read about if possible. Thanks; John
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
John
I have a Shigeo Takagi DVD copy of a VHS tape in Japanese. I have several parties to do today, but I'll look it up either tonight or tomorrow, and get back to you.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
Ok, thanks.
Since it seems like I've seen that type of display before (I'm just not sure where), I was hoping that it would magically appear in one of my reference materials. John
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I have Takagi's Lecture notes by Arnold Furst, and do not see the position you are speaking about. Sorry!
The routine is broken down as follows: 1. Three Small Loops of Rope Unite 2. False Cut of Rope in Half 3. Roper Restoration 4. Pair of Scissors Remove From Rope |
John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
That doesn't sound like the video I have.
Maybe my video is of someone else. I don't remember where I got it from, but probably Youtube.
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
John
IMHO Mr Takagi took the middle from the young girl. He then switched the middle to one hand and the two ends to the other. He then pulls out about six inches form his hand with the ends as if it were the middle, and the girl only cut that six inches off the end. Shigeo Takagi really was the most subtle rope magician I ever saw.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
dlhoyt Regular user 176 Posts |
I believe the rope effect John Long is asking about is on the video "Far East Mysteries of Shigeo Takagi". It used to be available on VHS from Stevens Magic. It was in Japanese but had an English voice over for the explanations.
Hope this helps. |
Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
I believe that this routine was published in Kauffman's book?
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
As an FYI.....
Last week at Abbott's 75th, Mac King featured his rope routine during his onstage performance and during his lecture, and went into great detail about this rope trick, which is based on Shigeo Takagi's routine, as published in Kaufman's book. Highly recommended!~ |
John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-07-25 20:48, dlhoyt wrote: Yes, there was an English voice over. As I think I stated, the magic effects in the routine were good, but, at least the English voice over made it seem a bit boring. There didn't seem to be any real interaction with the spectator (who just seem to dutifully do as told).
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
Magiguy Inner circle Seattle, WA 5467 Posts |
Stevens Magic Emporium released two Takagi VHS tapes. They were translated (dubbed) versions of his Japanese lecture tapes. Both were titled "Far East Mysteries of Shigeo Takagi" but one was focused on rope magic while the other was focused on cards and coins. Long unavailable, and I doubt that you will find them any time soon, but worth hunting for (I will never sell mine).
That being said... George Sands is one of the most underrated magicians and creative thinkers in magic. While his rope magic is terrific, I think its a shame that this is pretty much the only thing he is remembered for (if, in fact, he is remembered at all). He released a wide variety of effects with ropes, cards, coins, balloons, razor blades, etc... and deserves a greater level of recognition within our community. Kudo to his son, Alan, for maintaining a "tribute" web site, touring on the lecture circuit with his dad's material, and trying to get the word out. Some day George will get the recognition he deserves. |
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