Box Ties 101: Learning the TK

Hosted by Feather & Flame in Burlington, MA

The Takate Kote (TK), also known as the Box Tie or gote, is perhaps the most iconic chest harness in Japanese rope—and one of the most misunderstood.

In many rope communities, the TK has developed a reputation as a "dangerous" harness due to its association with nerve injuries. This introductory, floor-rope-only workshop is designed to replace fear with understanding.

Together, we'll break down the TK piece by piece, exploring how the harness is constructed, why each component exists, and how thoughtful tying practices contribute to both comfort and safety. Rather than simply memorizing a sequence of wraps, you'll learn the principles behind the harness so you can make informed decisions as your rope practice grows.

We'll also discuss common misconceptions surrounding the TK, introduce basic nerve awareness, and examine the factors that contribute to nerve injuries—along with why those risks are significantly different in floor-based rope than in suspension.

Important Safety Note: This workshop is intentionally limited to floor rope. We will not suspend, partially suspend, or load the harness during class. Advanced applications and suspension techniques are beyond the scope of this workshop. Our goal is to build a strong, safety-focused foundation before students choose to pursue more advanced rope.

Whether you've been curious about the TK, avoided it because of its reputation, or simply want a deeper understanding of one of rope's classic harnesses, this class will provide the knowledge and confidence to approach it with respect and informed risk awareness.

As with all Feather & Flame classes, this workshop is taught through the lens of enthusiastic consent, collaborative communication, and informed risk awareness. We regularly reference both FRIES and RACK as practical frameworks for ethical BDSM play.

Inside This Class We’ll Cover:

• Learn to tie a foundational stemmed TK (Box Tie / Takate Kote)
• Understand the anatomy of the harness and the purpose of each component
• Develop a practical understanding of nerve awareness and common safety considerations
• Learn the factors that contribute to nerve injuries and how education helps reduce risk
• Build a strong technical foundation for future rope education while staying within an intentionally low-risk learning environment

Shibari is an artform that has gained major popularity in recent years. It is a wonderful way to connect with yourself and/or your partner. From the meditative and relaxing process of building patterns and structure with rope, to the sensory grounding experience of focusing on the texture of the rope, and the many somatic health benefits of simply being held by the rope - the content of this class will increase your tool kit to explore those spaces, and connect with partners.

Who can take this class?

• Anybody over the age of 18
• Any gender
• Dominants, submissives, tops, bottoms, anybody!
• Both monogamous people, poly people, curious, swinger, etc. anybody!
• This class requires signing up with a partner, unless you are attending to observe and take notes.
• This class is best if you've already got a few under your belt! If you're looking for a beginner Shibari class, click HERE
• You do NOT have to be a member of Feather & Flame to take this class :) Anybody can buy a ticket

Prerequisites

• A non-collapsing, single column tie (such as the Somerville Bowline)
• How to extend rope

What to Bring;

• Spill proof water bottle
• Notebook and writing utensil
• Rope! 4 x 30 ft, 4 x 15 ft - any type of rope
• A cutting tool, such as safety shears
• Attire: Whatever you like to get tie/ get tied in! Nudity is strictly prohibited in our classes.
• No need to bring a yoga mat unless you prefer to bring your own. Our studio provides 1" thick yoga mats for everyone in the class.

About the Instructor: Goddess Lazarus

Goddess Lazarus is a queer, Boston-based foot fetishist, femdom, and rope top with 13 years of teaching experience. She especially likes high-femme hijinks and dynamic suspensions. As an engineer, she comes to rope work and suspension from a technical point of view. When she isn’t spending time with her partners, she’s usually making colorful costumes, art, and things for space.

Cancellation policy:

• 48 hrs - use Forbidden Tickets to get your refund (the ticketing platform that you purchased your ticket through)
• Please do not come if you are sick. Even if it’s “not Covid, just a small cold.” We are happy to roll your ticket over to a different class if you are sick

About Feather & Flame

We are located in Burlington, MA. We offer classes for the alternative relationship community.

Our exact address is sent out to ticket holders about 2 days before your class; this is for safety and discretion reasons. If you're missing the address, simply email us at Info@FeatherAndFlameConsulting.com

Parking: We have plenty of free parking in our lot!

Accessibility: there is a flight of stairs to our unit, and our bathrooms are not large enough to accommodate a wheelchair, unfortunately. Service dogs are of course welcome, but we do request a heads-up please. If there are any other reasonable accommodations that we can make for you, please reach out!

Financial Accessibility: If you would like to help us out with set up and breakdown for the class, we are happy to offer you a discounted ticket! Simply select "volunteer ticket" at checkout. You are expected to arrive 45 min before class time and stay 30 min after class.

Visit our website at: www.FeatherAndFlameConsulting.com to see our other events, or apply to become a member!