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Kumihimo

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The beautiful, intricate, fascinating Japanese art of cord making: Kumihimo

Kumihimo is a method of braiding silk threads developed in Japan which is traditionally performed on special wooden stands called Maru Dai and Takadai. The literal translation of kumihimo means the "coming together (kumi) of threads (himo)".

Kumihimo braids were originally used as ties, cording and belts for clothing, and closures for Samurai armor.  The braids are durable and beautiful and have patterns in them that are formed by varying the sequence of thread movements while creating the braids. 

Modern crafters create kumihimo braids out of many different fibers besides silk and the braids are made into jewelry, hatbands, belts or decorative knotting and embellishments.  Many crafters use small, portable foam or plastic versions of maru dai as alternative to the traditional wooden stands. 

(image above from Makiko Tada's gallery site)

History and General Information

Kyoto Kumihimo Braids
Description and pictures of traditional Japanese kumihimo production.
Hirai Kumihimo House
An historic museum and store of kumihimo in Japan, this site offers a lot of interesting history and information.
Kumihimo Introduction
A general explaination and history of kumihimo craft.
Braiding on a Takadai
A brief description of how braids are formed on a takadai as well as an illustration of a dressed takadai.
About Kumihimo Braiding
The home page for the Melbourne Kumihimo Group with a description of kumihimo and a picture of someone creating a braid on a maru dai.
Creative Fibre Magazine - Kumihimo
An article describing the history of kumihimo and the several different types of looms, the braids they produce and their dressings.

Examples and Inspiration

Makiko Tada
Makiko's work is stunning. That's just all there is to say.
Kim Starbard's Gallery
Impressive kumihimo braids made into jewelry with beaded end caps.
Carol Goodwin's Gallery
Several nice kumihimo necklaces, some incorporating beads.
Giovanna Imperia's Gallery
Some beautiful multi-braid kumihimo necklaces that any fiber artist would appreciate.
Hirai Kumihimo House Products
Items for sale by the Hiria Kumihimo House in Japan. Beautiful examples of necklaces, earrings (knotted), keychains, scarves and straps. See the rest of their interesting site here.
Yayoi Miura
Some amazing patterns here created by this takadai braider. She has several galleries of beautiful braids. Make sure to check out the Hyakuninisshu page!
Richard Sutherland's Gallery
Examples of braids made on a Takadai from flat ribbons to full sized scarves. There's also some pictures of Richard using the Takadai.
Orion's Plumage - Kumihimo
Examples of different patterns in maru dai created braids and a brief explanation of how they were once used for Samurai armor.
Chrissy Bristow
Chrissy uses beads in her kumihimo work both as embellishment to braids and woven directly into the braid during creation. Interesting techniques.
Spinning Jenny's Kuhihimo
Her maru dai braid gallery has examples of several patterns in the same colorways to better see the difference between them. She also has a takadai gallery.
Mike's Braids
Examples of Mike's work on his maru dai. He also created some software that allows you to experiment with color combinations for the Mitaki Gumi pattern.
Unique Trend
An online jewelry shop specializing in kumihimo based jewelry. Necklaces and bracelets, many embellished with beads. Make sure to check out the gallery page!
Kumihimo Samples
Several examples of braids created with embroidery floss and crochet thread as well as a picture of a braid being constructed on a maru dai.
Shawnee Holmberg
The gallery of Shawnee's jewelry contains many examples of using fibers other than silk to create interesting and varied texture in her pieces.
Fiber Expression Gallery
A pretty kumihimo necklace. Also one here and here.
Halla's Kumihimo
Some examples of necklaces made of kumihimo and a bowl!
Alethia Donothan
An artist who creates kumihimo necklaces with lampworked bead focal points and beaded embellishments. Very beautiful work.
Japanese Gallery
I haven't been able to figure out what the name of this site is but they have a wonderful sample page of maru dai (top) and takadai (bottom) created braids. Go to the home page as well and click on the links at the bottom for even more examples of work.

Tutorials, Tips and Patterns

Tutorial on the Card Method
This is a how-to on using the "card method" for kumihimo: creating braids on a cardboard "maru dai" that you can make yourself. There are limits to what you can do with this method but for a beginner it is an easy and inexpensive way to get started.
Kumihimo on a Kumiloom (video)
A video demonstration of how to create a simple 8-strand braid on a foam disk maru dai called a Kumiloom.
Finishing a Braid
Pictorial how-to on tying off a braid and creating a nice tassel with the ends.
How to make a cheap maru dai
An inexpensive way to make a maru dai from easily accessible parts that requires no woodworking.
Coral Snakes Pattern (maru dai)
A colorway for the Hira Kara Gumi pattern with an interesting backstory as well.
Kumihimo Terminology
A glossary of terms used to describe tools, supplies, patterns and other aspects of kumihimo.
Hearts Pattern (maru dai)
A "beginner's" pattern for the maru dai. I have not tried this pattern myself, though someone I know has and said there's a step missing somewhere...
Simple Kumihimo Cord
A tutorial on how to create a simple braid using the card method.
Eight's Great
Another tutorial on making the 8 strand braid with the card method.
Thick and Thin braid
An 8-strand braid using two thicknesses of fiber to create a wavy flat cord that would be good for a purse strap or other heavy duty application. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the pattern.
"Practical braid"
A thick, flat 8-strand braid with a zig-zag pattern down the middle.
Keiruko No Himo (aka Carey 16T or Owen 50 or Martin 7)
A 16-strand rhythmic braid that produces a hollow cord that could be used with a core.
Basic Kumihimo patterns
This is a tutorial for a 4-strand beginning braid but the site also has instructions for 8 and 12-strand braids.

Tools and Supply Sources

BraidersHand
"Makers of quality Japanese style kumihimo equipment: marudai, takadai, and tama. Purveyors of books, kumihimo silk, biron, and metallic threads for braiding."

This is where I got my wonderful foam maru dai that I use all the time now. Here's a closeup of the disk from another site.
Mountain Loom Co.
A manufacturer of maru dai and tama as well as a source for silk thread. This page has an overview of kumihimo itself and the tools that are used to create the braids.
Hand Dyed Fibers
A resource for silk and bunka fiber that was recommended by my Temari newsgroup.
Weir Dolls and Crafts
Kumuhimo jewelry kits and jewelry findings
Marudai (braiding stands) - Tama (braiding bobbins) and supplies
Braiding cards (for card method work)
Braiding books and silk threads
Carey Company
The supply website by author and kumihimo guru, Jaqui Carey which features jewelry findings for finishing your braids.
Makiko Tada's Books
This is a listing of Makiko's books on maru dai and takadai braiding but they're not easy to find in the states. I listed this because the ISBN numbers are there so if you want to hunt for them it will be a little easier.
Lacis Book Catalog
This site has a comprehensive listing of kumihimo, macrame and knotting books, many of which are direct Japanese imports (unavailable on Amazon). I have several of the books on this list and would love to have the rest!

Things to get started with Kumihimo

What you'll need

Here are some of the supplies you'll need to get started with Kumhimo. Besides the items below you will need:
good scissors
upholstery needles
gallon sized plastic bag to keep disks in progress in
small rubber bands (the kind for braces work the best) to "start" your braid
beading wire or run through the middle of your braid to provide support if used for jewelry (optional)
cord to run through the middle of your braid to provide bulk (optional)
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Kumihimo books by Rodrick Owen

Roderick Owen is one of the foremost authorities on kumihimo and also Peruvian braiding. He used mathematics to decipher many of the patterns and his books have instructions for the basic braids as well as many variations.
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Kumihimo books by Jacqui Carey

Jacqui Carey has written some of the "classic" guides to kumihimo and is also an expert on it's history. Her books are the foundation in any kumihimo library.
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More Books on Kumihimo

More good resources including a few that focus on making jewelry and beadwork with Kumihimo.
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More Kumihimo resources on Amazon

Kumihimo resources on eBay

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Comments

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  • Reply
    NTxWriter Aug 27, 2011 @ 2:38 pm | delete
    Thanks for all the terrific links for kumihimo! I love to knit and was looking for something else, yarn related to try so I decided to try this. It can be used for purse and bag handles, which would look really nice.
  • Reply
    rob Aug 27, 2011 @ 9:35 am | delete
    Hey ,I'm amazed how you put this topic together, will you be posting more topic related to this in the future?
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BlueCockatoo

My life is split between craft/art work and my technical job. Kumihimo is one of the crafts I particularly enjoy and Squidoo lets me share it with you.... more »

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