Several interviews with Akechi Denki (明智伝鬼) can be found on TokyoBound. In one of these, from 1997, the grandmaster speaks about the topic at hand:
“During the Phantom Shows, I did a number of ‘tsuri-otosu’ (吊り落とす, suspension drops) which consist in letting the model drop like a stone from a tsuri to within a few inches off the ground. When falling, the koshi-nawa bites sharply. When you look at it, it is very impressive. But if you make a mistake, the woman’s head will hit the ground and you have a big accident. The technique requires good timing and full control of the rope tension and not many people can attempt it.”
Osada Steve:
During my time as weekly guest performer at Jail Tokyo (2003-2005) I developed my own stunt by cutting the main suspension line (the one on the takatekote, 高手小手) to let the model drop from a gyaku-ebi-zuri (逆海老吊り) into a ryo-ashi-sakasa-zuri (両足逆さ吊り) (see visual above). I later added another routine to my repertoire by cutting the main suspension line of a yokozuri (横吊り) to let the model drop into a kata-ashi-sakasa-zuri (片足逆さ吊り) — single-ankle inverted suspension.
Not every woman appreciates facing death by being dropped like this nor will you find many women with enough strength to catch their own weight with one ankle alone. So, to be honest, I never did these stunts with anybody else than Asagi Ageha (浅葱アゲハ).
Considering the risks involved, I have stopped doing tsuri otosu a few years ago, and have no intention of showing these again. Likewise I strongly recommend to stay away from these stunts.
2 Comments
It’s very strange that such sound advice based on extensive experience causes very bad reactions in some. I have seen people act outraged at the thought that Steve should say that this should not be done.
Myself I will accept the benefit of the experience of another and not try to find out if this is a good idea through trial and error. The trial has already happened. To repeat it would be my error.
It certainly does make sense to consider advise from such an esteemed source. Particularly in this time where drops have been seen in many places, fads for smaller diameter rope etc, tsuri otosu poses inherent risks that not only challenge skill and execution, but the strength of the rope, hardpoint, and many other considerations. And of course the risk to the model is substantial. Sadly I have seen similar reactions. While I am not the Safety Police, common sense would seem to mandate consideration of this advice rather than indignation.