Rope Decapitation
By Ishida Tenkai

THE advantage of this version of the rope through neck effect is the apparent fairness of the method. A rope as long as the distance between the magician's fingertips, when his arms are outstretched, is used. The rope is put around the perform's neck and allowed to hang loosely in front. It is then given another turn around the neck and the ends are pulled. The rope apparently passes through the neck and comes free.

The manipulation is in the second twist. There are three parts which are clearly shown in the accompanying illustration. In the first move, the magician catches hold of the left end of the rope between the first three fingers of his right hand. With his left hand he grasps the right strand between his left first and second fingers.

In the second move. a loop of the left strand is drawn over to the magician's right. While this loop is still held with the left hand, the performer draws the right hand end around his neck. In doing this the left hand, holding the loop, also moves up apparently merely to keep the rope in place. The third figure is exaggerated to better show the manipulation.

As soon as the two ends hang down in front again, the performer takes hold of them with both hands and pulls the rope free.