kumihimo

thumb| braid

is a traditional Japanese artform and craftwork for making braids and cords. In the past, kumihimo decorations were used as accessories for kimono as well as samurai armor. Japanese braiding, as is sometimes known in English, is also associated with Shinto rituals and religious services. Literally meaning "gathered threads", are made by interlacing reels of yarn, commonly silk, with the use of traditional, specialised looms – either a or a (also known as a ).