114
1999, Gerald L. Findley
JAPANESE SQUARE
LASHINGS:
Comments The Japanese Square Lashings
are a group of similar lashings that are all tied
in a similar manner. The main difference is in
the way each lashing is started.
The simplest and easiest form of the Japa-
nese square lashing is tied by looping the cen-
ter of the rope around the vertical spar and car-
rying the stands parallel to each other while
taking the wrapping turns. The frapping turns
are taken by separating the ends of the rope
and taking them in opposite directions.
The Mark III is the same as the Mark II
but a clove hitch is tied around the up right
spar when starting the lashing.
The MarkII Japanese Square Lashing is tied
by looping the center of the rope of the upright
spar and than forming the wrapping turns by
taking the ends of the rope in opposite direc-
tions.
The Mark III is the most secure of the three
Japanese square lashings because the clove
hitch helps to prevent the lashing from shift-
ing along the vertical spar.
Narration -----(For Japanese square lash knot-
board.) (1) Start the lashing by looping the cen-
ter of the rope around the vertical spar so that
the loops under the horizontal spar. (2) Start
the wrapping turns by leading the ends around
the spars so that the two strands of the rope
are parallel to each other. (3) When making
the wrapping turns the two strands of the rope
are lead around the spars at 90
0
to the spars;
do not allow the strand to cross, be sure to keep
the strands parallel. (4) Complete the wrap-
ping turns by leading the rope strand around
the vertical pole. (5) Start the frapping turns
by separating the strands so that one strand is
above the horizontal spar and the other strand
is below the horizontal spar. (6) Lead the frap-
ping strands in opposite directions. (7) Make
two complete frapping turns; pull each turn
tight as it is made; tie the first half knot of the
ending square knot. (8) Tie the second half knot
of the square knot to complete the lashing. (9)
For safety add half hitches; The half hitches
prevent the square knot from upsetting.
1999, Gerald L. Findley
115
+ +
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+ +
JAPANESE
SQUARE LASHING
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
loop center
of rope
around spar
lead parallel
wrapping
turn
end
wrapping
start
frapping
separate
ends
opposite
directions
pull tight
end with
square knot
half knot
half knot
for safety add half hitches
116
1999, Gerald L. Findley
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----------------------------------------
+ +
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
+ +
JAPANESE SQUARE
LASHING MARK II
middle of rope
cross behind
pull tight
<--------
pull tight
-------->
second
wrapping
turn
start frapping
third
wrapping
turn
first
frapping
second
frapping
cross
between
spars
pull
each
frap-
ping
tight
first half
knot of
square knot
pull tight
<--------
pull tight
<--------
pull tight
<--------
pull tight
-------->
square
knot
1999, Gerald L. Findley
117
Narration ---(For Japanese square lash, mark
II knotboard.) (1) Start the lashing by tying the
center of the rope around the vertical spar with
a clove hitch so that the clove hitch is under
the horizontal spar. (2) Make the first wrap-
ping turn by leading the ends up over the front
of the horizontal spar and then in opposite di-
rections behind the vertical spar. (3) Pull the
strands tight but do not allow them to cross each
other. (4) Add the second wrapping turn by
leading the ends of the rope down over the front
of the horizontal spar and then in opposite di-
rections behind the vertical spar. (5) Complete
the frapping turns by leading the ends of the
rope up over the front of the horizontal spar
and then in opposite directions behind the ver-
tical spar. Position the strands of rope for start-
ing the frapping tuns by leading them behind
the horizontal spar. [NOTE] When pulled tight
the strands will cross behind the vertical spar.
back of step (5)
crossed strands
<--- vertical spar
horizontal
spar --->
(6) Lead the frapping strands in opposite di-
rections below and in front of the vertical spar
and then behind the horizontal spar. (7) Make
the second frapping turn by leading the ends
above and in front of the vertical spar and then
behind the horizontal spar; pull each turn tight
as it is made. (8) End the second frapping turn
by tying the firs half knot of the ending square
knot. (9) Complete the ending square knot by
adding a second half knot. (10) Pull the square
knot tight [NOTE] For safety add half hitches
around the horizontal spar to either side of the
square knot; The half hitches prevent the square
knot from upsetting.
