showen.co.jpWelcome to ShowenTM Kumihimo
Takadai
The craftsman sits down in a 1 meter (3.3-foot) square work place and braids by crossing the thread through a specific sequence of wooden pegs. The sequence of wooden pegs can vary from ten to over a hundred, depending on the complexity of the kumihimo's design. Moreover, projects made with the Takadai are very tedious and takes many decades to master.
Katudai
This is a basic braiding tool which uses a square board and an raised woven braid. The braid is woven from the top to the bottom using specific threaded counterweights to achieve a certain tautness. We offer a demonstration of this classic tool at our SHOWEN Store in Uji, Kyoto.
Marudai
Marudai is a classic tool that creates the kumihimo braid from the bottom to the top. The kumihimo braid is created by moving the weighted spools of thread in a clock-wise fashion along the circular wooden board. The kumihimo is then produced through the center hole of this tool. Marudai specializes in rounded or square-shaped kumihimo that range in complexity of more than 50 threaded spools.
Ayatakedai
Kumihimo braiding with this tool is similar to textile. Horizontally crossing the thread with varied weighted spools will determine the dexterity of the braid. The heavier the spool, the tauter the braid will be. On the contrary, the lighter the spool, the more flexible the braid will be.
Production Schedule Control
Each machine is powered by a series of belts and gears. The kumihimo machine has various cogs and movement patterns similar to a rotary clock. The patterns, combinations, and manufacturing time vary for each braid. For multiple orders on one machine, we need a working schedule to optimally produce the same design/quality kumihimo. Particularly for a large quantity order, which may take a couple of month to produce, we will need to make sure other machines are open to make small production orders.