Kumihimo, a traditional Japanese braiding technique

Kumihimo (組み紐) is deeply related to various aspects of Japanese culture; including religion, etiquette, performing arts, clothing, and furnishings. They have changed with the times, finding new applications and developing new designs and techniques accordingly.

Translated to “gathered threads,” the weaving technique has been practiced for centuries and completed creations are used to stitch together historic samurai armor and create bows for modern kimono. Many kumihimo are made of hand-dyed silk woven together on special looms.

The actual beginning of the full spread of kumihimo was during the Asuka and Nara era, when mainland Asian culture was introduced to Japan.

This art involves a meditative and methodical process that is very labor intensive. The weaver seated at the takadai loom manually threads the bobbins through the upper and lower threads and then uses a bamboo tool, or hera, to strike and tighten the braid. Then, the artisan moves on to the round murudai , which involves passing the threads from front to back in a rhythmic sequence.