Kumihimo Origin - Where did it come from?

Samarai Armor

Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands. Kumi himo is Japanese for "gathered threads". 

Japanese Haori

Kumihimo cord was first created by a form of finger-loop braiding known as Kute Uchi style in the 7th Century and was used for making the cords that tied together Samurai Armor and their horses armor.

Kumihimo cords are now used as ties on haori, which is a hip length jacket, and obijime, which are used for tying on an obi (kimono sash).

Kumihimo was originally weaved using just the hands, but later,

Japanese Obi Sash Tie

looms or marudai were developed for ease of use and to make the cords faster.  The

Japanese style marudai is 16" high and is usually used while kneeling or when placed on a table. Unlike kumihimo disks,

Kumihimo Marudai

marudais have no indication of where the thread should be placed; it is done freehand. To create the tension required for the rope to form, wooden bobbins called tama are rolled on the strands of threads, and a bag of counterweights is placed at the base knot of these threads, where the rope begins. The tama are often filled with lead or other heavy metals.

Kumihimo Necklace

Kumihimo has seen a new re-birth with the recent addition to beads, transforming the mostly functional art to a more decorative role in Jewelry.


To see more examples of kumihimo jewelry, visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy page here.



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