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Hobbies and Pastimes

Kumihimo

Needlecraft-Adjacent and Braiding Hobbies

A traditional Japanese braiding hobby, interlacing yarns, most traditionally silk, on a stand called a marudai or a frame called a takadai to make decorative cords. The technique reached Japan from China by way of the Korean peninsula around 700 AD, was first used to decorate Buddhist religious objects, and later became closely tied to samurai armor lacing and sword fittings before its Edo-period spread into obijime cords worn with the kimono sash; today hobbyists practice it worldwide, often on simpler foam braiding discs in place of a traditional loom.

Facts
Hobby Class
Making and Building 1
Established When (Circa)
circa 700 AD 1
Origin
Kumihimo was introduced to Japan from China via the Korean peninsula around 700 AD, arriving through Nara as a centre of cultural and artistic exchange, where it was first used to decorate Buddhist scrolls and other votive items; primitive predecessor braids appeared earlier, during the Jomon period, on Jomon pottery. 1
Connections

Associated With

Scoubidou and kumihimo are both cord-braiding crafts using a related plaiting technique.

Weaving, Crafts

Kumihimo is a Japanese braid-making technique, a form of interlacing related to weaving.

Sources
1. Kumihimo (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • History section, first sentence
    Kumihimo, which falls into the category of crafts, was introduced to Japan from China via the Korean peninsula around 700 AD.
  • History section, first sentence, date clause
    Kumihimo, which falls into the category of crafts, was introduced to Japan from China via the Korean peninsula around 700 AD.
  • History section, Nara and Buddhist decoration sentence
    Upon arrival, it was used to decorate Buddhist scrolls and other votive items.
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