My Kumihimo Reference Library
When I first became interested in kumihimo, there were very few books on the subject available at all, and even fewer books written in English. Today's braider has a wealth of information available at all price points. These are the reference books that are currently in my studio library. See Resource Suppliers for places to order these books, and Frequently Asked Questions for recommendations if you're just starting your collection.
The Manual of Braiding
Noemi Speiser, 1983
Academic study of many different varieties of braiding, both manual and mechanical, including kumihimo.
Exquisite: The World of Japanese Kumihimo Braiding
Kei Sahashi, editor; 1988
Inspirational photos of kumihimo ancient and modern, with interesting articles.
Space, Time and Braid
Tada & Hamada, editors; 2007
Proceedings of the First International Conference on Kumihimo, Kyoto 2007.
Comprehensive Treatise on Braids I: Maru Dai Braids
Makiko Tada, 1996
Volume I of the definitive series on all types of braiding deals with maru dai braids.
Creative Kumihimo
Jacqui Carey, 1994
Clear diagrams and color placement charts for maru dai braids.
Braids: 250 Patterns from Japan, Peru & Beyond
Rodrick Owen, 1995
Excellent diagrams and instructions for both maru dai and disc braiding.
Beginner's Guide to Braiding: The Craft of Kumihimo
Jacqui Carey, 1997
Excellent photos and clear instructions for the beginning braider.
Kumihimo
Charlene Marietti, 1992
Self-published, black & white photos, but several braids which do not appear elsewhere.
Kumihimo: Japanese Silk Braiding Techniques
Catherine Martin, 1991
Several editions have been published, some with clearer photos and fewer errors. Interesting background information.
Kumihimo in Japan: The Round Rack
Hoko Tokoro, 1983
Variety of braids, nice background information, includes section on knots with finished braids.
The Thirty-Seven Interlacements of Hira Kara Gumi
Rosalie Neilson, 1998
Pictoral representations of each of the 37 unique color starting positions for this 8-strand flat braid.
Pattern Booklet I
Jacqui Carey, 1996
Series of color placement diagrams for basic spiral (kongo) braid with 16 tama.
Comprehensive Treatise on Braids III: Taka dai braids 1
Makiko Tada, 1998
Volume III of the series on all types of braiding deals with single-layer taka dai braids.
Comprehensive Treatise on Braids V: Taka dai braids 3
Makiko Tada, 2002
Volume V of the series on all types of braiding deals with double-layer pickup braids on the taka dai.
Comprehensive Treatise on Braids IV: Taka dai braids 2
Makiko Tada, 1998
Volume IV of the series on all types of braiding deals with double-layer taka dai braids.
Making Kumihimo - Japanese Interlaced Braids
Rodrick Owen, 2004
Taka dai braiding, including double-layer pickup braids. Extensive instructions in English.
Oblique Plain Weave Braiding in Two Colours
Leigh Morris, 2001
Monograph dealing with two-color designs in plain weave taka dai braids.
Textures and Edges for Takadai Braids
Jenny Parry, 2007
Exhaustive investigation of edge treatments and texture possibilities for taka dai braids.
Oblique 2/2 Twill Braids in Two Colours
Leigh Morris, 2002
Monograph dealing with two-color designs in 2/2 twill taka dai braids.
Shadow Weave in Two Colours
Leigh Morris, 2005
Monograph dealing with two-color designs in shadow weave taka dai braids.
Bobbin Switching in Two Colours
Leigh Morris, 2003
Monograph dealing with the switching of tama positions in taka dai braids in order to change the color pattern.
Takadai Rep Braids: Loom-braided Turban Structures
Richard Sutherland, 2006
Excellent instuctions for fingerbraiding rep structures on a taka dai.
Kumihimo Pattern Book
Yayoi Miura, 1986
In Japanese only. Charts for double-layer pickup braids on the taka dai.
Hyaku Isshuu in Kumihimo
Yayoi Miura
In Japanese only. Charts for Miura's master work interpreting the Hyaku Isshuu on the taka dai.
Kumihimo Pattern Book
Yayoi Miura, 1988
In Japanese only. Charts for double-layer pickup braids on the taka dai.
Kumihimo Pattern Book
Yayoi Miura, 1990
In Japanese only. Charts for double-layer pickup braids on the taka dai.
Comprehensive Treatise on Braids VI: Kumihimo Disc and Plate
Makiko Tada, 2007
Volume VI of the series on all types of braiding deals with disc & plate braids.
More Braids On Cards
Shirley Berlin, 2007
Instructions for braiding eight more structures on a disc.
Kumihimo On a Card
Shirley Berlin, 1998
Instructions for braiding 19 different color arrangements for kongo gumi on a disc.
Braiding on a Kumihimo Disk Volume 3: Beaded Braids
Carol Goodwin, 2007
Excellent instructions for adding beads to braids.
Misanga and Accessories
Ondori, 2002
In Japanese only. Instructions for variety of accessories made on the disc.
Handicraft 16
Ondori, 2002
In Japanese only. Instructions for variety of bracelets made on the disc.
Strap, Keyholder, Misanga, Necklace
Ondori, 2004
In Japanese only. Instructions for variety of accessories made on the disc
Kumihimo Mini Book
Hamanaka, 2003
In Japanese only. Various projects (some with beads) for the Hamanaka Disc.
The Essence of Kumihimo Braiding
Makiko Tada & Aiko Sakai, 1980
Written in Japanese only, includes diagrams for maru dai, aya take dai & kaku dai. Often referred to as "the Purple Book".
Ayatakedai: An Advanced Textbook
Makiko Tada & Aiko Sakai, 1982
Ayatakedai diagrams for the expert braider.
Kakudai Braids
Makiko Tada & Aiko Sakai
Written in Japanese only, diagrams for kaku dai. Often referred to as "the Green Book".
Samurai Undressed
Jacqui Carey, 1995
Study of Samurai armor and its relationship with kumihimo.
Warrior Series 7: Samurai 1550-1600
Anthony J. Bryant, 1994
Extensive illustrations and diagrams of armor and weapon construction.
An Introduction to Japanese Armour
Debbie Wurr, editor; 2002
Booklet from the Royal Armouries concerning the display at the Oriental Gallery at the Leeds Museum.
Samurai - An Illustrated History
Mitsuo Kure, 2001
From Metropolitan Museum of Art. Extensive history with many photos and illustrations.
Kimono and the Colors of Japan
Katsumi Yumioka, 2005
Kimono Collection of Katsumi Yumioka. Lovely reference for colorway inspiration.
Kimono - Fashioning Culture
Liza Dalby, 1993
History of the Kimono, extensive diagrams and color sets for different seasons.
Country Textiles of Japan: The Art of Tsutsugaki
Reiko Mochinaga Brandon, 1986
From Honolulu Academny of Arts. In depth study of Tsutsugaki method of dyeing fabrics and motifs.
Japanese Country Textiles
Anna Jackson, 1997
From Victoria and Albert Museum.
Textile Art of Japan
Sunny Yang & Rochelle M. Narasin, 1989
Introduction to Japanese textile methods.
The Colors of Japan
Sadao Hibi, 2000
Beautifully photographed look at the world of Japanese color.
Braids & Beyond: A Broad Look at Narrow Wares
Jacqui Carey, 2003
Braid Society Exhibition Catalog.
Make Your Own Japanese Clothes
John Marshall, 1988
Patterns and instructions for constructing traditional garments.
Chinese Braid Embroidery
Jacqui Carey, 2007
Beautifully done study of chan xiu tradition in China, with guide to making and applying the braids.
The Book of Ornamental Knots
John J. Hensel, 1973
Introduction to the art of ornamental ropework.
Chinese Knotting
Lydia Chen, 1981
Clear construction diagrams for wide variety of Chinese knots.
The Complete Book of Decorative Knots
Geoffrey Budworth, 1998
Clear diagrams for creating a variety of decorative knots.
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