Iga Kumihimo: Hands-on Cord Braiding Experience

The art of Iga Kumihimo (braided strings) originated long ago, and is said to date back to before the Nara period. It was made for Buddhist alter equipment such as scripture scrolls and keko flower baskets, Shinto ritual equipment, cords for armors and swords of samurai warriors, and so on. However, its full-scale development as a local industry of Iga was in the mid-Meiji period, when Tokusaburo Hirosawa mastered the braiding techniques of Edo and established his business in Ueno City.
Using mainly silk thread, as well as other threads including metal threads for braiding, delicate and beautiful Kumihimo cords are produced on traditional braiding stands, types of which include kodai (tall stands), marudai (round stands), kakudai (square stands), and ayadakedai (lease rod stands). With Iga Kumihimo, in particular, high-grade hand-braided cords made on kodai account for the majority of the country’s production, and in 1976, it was designated by the Minister of the International Trade and Industry as a traditional handicraft.
With this hands-on program, you can experience the Iga Kumihimo by making a keychain or a bracelet with guidance from the instructors. Using gold thread and thread made from 100% silk, you will use a braiding stand called “marudai”. Although the time it takes to complete may vary from person to person, every single work you made will be one of a kind in the world.