Kumihimo

Kumihimo is the traditional Japanese art of braiding. In Japan, braided cords are used to fasten all sorts of things, from gift packages to temple bells, from samurai armor to the ubiquitous charms dangling from modern cells phones. The braided cords are made on a variety of different stands and involve numerous, complex patterns.

The kumihimo braiding techniques are widely used in kitsuke or kimono dressing for securing the obi or belt. The cording is called obijime and may be solely decorative or actually necessary to hold a complicated knot together. The first two images (courtesy of kimono seller, Kinumono) show the obijime tied around the obi, but obijime can be used for many other decorative purposes, such as the strap of my purse in the third photograph.

The majority of kumihimo shown here are the short ties used to secure a haori, or open-front kimono jacket. The patterns and colors become more complex when the ties are knotted in the traditional fashion:

Most photo credits go to Ryujiro Okamura, who sells kimono items like these on eBay as ryujapan-99.

Flat

Rectangular

Round

Joined

Sweet Endings (not your traditional tassel)

Jewelry, Fabric, & Leather Himo

Please also note the incredible shibori fabric in the first photo; this piece belongs to friend and fellow collector, Ann.

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