Kumihimo - The art of Japanese silk braiding, by Domyo
The exhibition explores the history and evolution of silk cord making and is presented by Domyo, a Tokyo-based family-owned company that has been hand-braiding silk cords since 165
Exhibition Space with Kumihimo Artifacts (2022-05-24/2022-10-23) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
The exhibition ‘Kumihimo - The art of Japanese silk braiding’ is presented by Domyo, a traditional family-owned business, which for over ten generations has been handcrafting silk cords, handmade by artisans who work exclusively for the company.
What is kumihimo?
Kumihimo roughly translates into English as
“braided cord.”
The term is used to refer to lashings of three or more bundles of silk threads, forming strands based on the regular, uniform diagonal overlapping of these threads. The outcome may be simple, 3-bundle braids (known as “French braids”), or more complex ones, sometimes with more than 140 bundles of threads.
The historical evolution of kumihimo in Japan
The exhibition, part of Japan House's global tour — including stops in Los Angeles, São Paulo, and London — showcases the historical evolution of kumihimo, the process of braiding, in Japan, and explores future possibilities for its application.
Kumihimo has been used in Japan over the centuries for various purposes, such as accessories for clothing and ornaments for weapons and armor, and it has undergone a unique evolution. One of the types the Japanese know best is the one used in obijime – the narrow belt that is tied over the belt of a traditional kimono.
The strength and elasticity of kumihimo
Kumihimo stands out for both its strength
and elasticity -
as determined by the braiding and lashing methods that are used, in addition to variations in fiber angle orientation, which is why it is possible to find carbon tube structures similar to kumihimo in a range of industrial applications, from golf clubs and aircraft to orthopedic prostheses.
Suspended Kumihimo Braiding Installation (2022-05-24/2022-10-23) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Exclusive model for the exhibition at JHSP
A model based on geometric topology was created in partnership with the University of Tokyo’s Tachi Lab exclusively for this exhibition.
For this model, researchers created usable structures and cellular materials with unique properties based on the geometry of the origami, in systems with joints, and in differential geometry, among others. Through this work, by observing and creating various phenomena, they aim to understand the nature of form and function — this collaboration mathematically expands the potential of kumihimo to generate graphic patterns, three-dimensional structures, and functional systems.
The evolution of braided art
Pottery dating from the early Jōmon period (between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago) already featured decorative patterns with a primitive form of kumihimo in print, but kumihimo advanced most in Japan from the Asuka period (592-710).
Its tradition permeates everything from ornaments for weapons and armor, kimonos, and ceremonial garments, to decorative elements for shrines and other religious objects, in addition to being present in the performing arts.
Today, the technique has also been incorporated into contemporary fashion, such as in the creations of the Japanese stylist Akira Hasegawa (1989), who says: “I work to convey, today, emotions from a hundred years ago. I am moved by the structural beauty and the cozy feeling of ancient clothes.
The secular tradition present in today's Japan
“To us it is very important to be able to put the Brazilian audience into contact with this very significant cultural asset of Japan and to present the experience and knowledge that the Domyo company has acquired since 1652,” says JHSP Cultural Director Natasha B. Geenen, who continues:
"Exhibitions like this one reinforce Japan House São Paulo’s mission to present modern-day Japan with practices that may be perpetuated for centuries. In addition to reiterating our approach based on symbolic braids.”
Go to the articles below and learn more about the subject: Tying wishes: The history and future of kumihimo The history of Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo
Japan House São Paulo
Paulista Avenue, 52
Bela Vista – São Paulo/SP
Phone: +55 11 3090-8900
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