Kumihimo Braiding

Last September, between Japan's coronavirus waves, I was able to squeeze in a visit to Asakusa Kiryūdō 桐生堂, a kumihimo workshop and store near Asakusa's Sensō-ji that dates back to the 1800s. With photographer Kenji Miura, and an editor from Ikebana International, we squeezed into a small braiding workroom to talk about the craft with Yuji Haneda, a fourth-generation kumihimo craftsman, and ask question after question. 

Kumihimo is a centuries-old craft of braiding dyed and bundled silk threads. Kumihimo flat braids were used on samurai sword handles and to create sageo cords that attach to obi. Later kumihimo gained prominence as ties for kimono--obijime cords for tying wide taiko-musubi obi in place and for haori jacket ties for men. In addition to uses as kimono accessories, kumihimo braids are used as cords for netsuke and many other purposes, always adding a subtle touch of elegance. 

My essay Kumihimo Braiding Now and Tomorrow about the Haneda family workshop was published this spring in Ikebana International Vol. 65 along with ten pages of stunning photos by the acclaimed Kenji Miura. 

Craftsmen Yuji Haneda is determined to keep the kumihimo tradition alive and to help carry Kiryūdō into the next generation. He continues with traditional braiding colors, techniques, patterns and styles, and also experiments with new color combinations and products. Only for high volume orders does the shop use machines; otherwise they pride themselves on continuing with traditional hand braiding. 

One product they developed recently that I now use daily (yes, Japan is in its fifth coronavirus wave) is a kumihimo mask cord. If you're in Japan, you can order them from Rakuten here. 

May you have a chance to visit Kiryūdō and observe and appreciate in person traditional kumihimo crafts one of these days.  And in the meantime, consider ordering some classy mask cords from Kiryūdō and stay safe, friends!