Stop by your library this summer to create a Kumihimo braid, using traditional techniques. We have all the supplies you need to make a keychain, bracelet, or bookmark!
To get started, watch this how-to video:
Mire este video para recibir instrucciones en español
For more advanced techniques, check out this video and patterns from Alachua County Library District. Middle-school art teacher, Ursina Amsler, shares 8-strand patterns and a video about how to teach the Kumihimo artform.
History of Kumihimo
In Japanese, Kumihimo means gathered threads or braided cord. A similar style of braids crafted from wool and dating back to 300 BCE were found along the Silk Roads in Central Asia. This intricate artform arrived in Japan during the 6th century by way of China and Korea, and it developed into an important part of Japanese history. From the 8th to 12th centuries, braided silk cords were used to secure handscrolls and sword scabbards. During the Samurai era, Kumihimo connected armor and wrapped sword hilts. From the 15th to 19th centuries, the braids were status symbols and used to fasten kimonos and haoris. Similar crafts, such as macramé and paracord knots, draw on the same skills that create Kumihimo. This information, and more like it, can be found in Kumihimo Jewelry Simplified, Learn to Braid with a Kumihimo Disk, opens a new window and at Kumihimo: the Art of Japanese Silk Braiding.
More Ideas
Cultures across the globe use cords and knots for decorations and practical use. Check out these books, opens a new window to explore more ways to create with cord and even add beads to your Kumihimo braid. Here's a sneak peek!
The Beginner's Guide to Kumihimo
The Beginner's Guide to Friendship Bracelets
Visit Summer Reading for more fun activities!
