What is Kumihimo? The ancient Japanese braiding technique, resulting in an intricate, decorative cord made of hand-dyed silk threads is now the subject of an extensive exhibition, 'Kumihimo: Japanese Silk Braiding by Domyo' at Japan House London, on show until 11 June 2023.
The art of Kumihimo at Japan House London
A Japanese word meaning ‘joining threads together’, Kumihimo is characterised by intricate patterns made using silk threads (up to 140 single strands) with the aid of marudai (round wooden stands), used to create round or square cords, and takadai (tall stands) featuring rectangular structures and used to create flat cords. These techniques are exemplified throughout the exhibition with live demonstrations and samples of antique Kumihimo creations (the craft dating back to the Nara period, 645-784 A.D.).
The exhibition is divided into three topical sections, looking at Kumihimo’s history, structure and future, wondering what’s next for this ancient technique. ‘We invite the visitor to come closer and delight in the beauty of intricate detail,’ says Simon Wright, director of programming at Japan House London. ‘The continuation in Japan today of the centuries-old tradition of producing Kumihimo is not only a respect for what has gone before but also a story of how this art can survive and provide a source of inspiration for the future.’
Located in the Japan House gallery, the exhibition features installations bringing the art of Kumihimo to life, demonstrations of tools and processes as well as a collection of over 50 examples of different braiding styles (some of which are historical and rarely shown in public). Alongside the displays is a programme of events that includes workshops inviting guests to have a go at Kumihimo-making.
‘I am honoured to have this opportunity to introduce Kumihimo from Japan to the people of London. The technique of Kumihimo, which has uniquely evolved in Japan over a period of more than a thousand years, expresses all manner of worldviews within a single thin, linear structure,’ comments Dōmyō Kiichirō, 10th-generation CEO of Yusoku Kumihimo Dōmyō (Domyo). ‘I hope that visitors will get up close to Kumihimo, study it carefully and get a real sense of its surprising complexity, delicacy and beauty.’
'Kumihimo: Japanese Silk Braiding by Domyo' is on view until late May 2023
Japan House London
101-111 Kensington High St
London W8 5SA
japanhouselondon.uk
domyo.co.jp
-
Highlights from the transporting Cruise 2026 showsThe Cruise 2026 season began yesterday with a Chanel show at Lake Como, heralding the start of a series of jet-setting, destination runway shows from fashion’s biggest houses
-
Behind the design of national pavilions in Venice: three studios to knowDesigning the British, Swiss and Mexican national pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 are three outstanding studios to know before you go
-
Premium patisserie Naya is Mayfair’s latest sweet spotHeritage meets opulence at Naya bakery in Mayfair, London. With interiors by India Hicks and Anna Goulandris, the patisserie looks good enough to eat
-
Inside the world of Tapio Wirkkala, the designer who created masterpieces in remotest LaplandThe Finnish artist set up shop in an Arctic outpost without electricity or running water; the work that he created there is now on display at a retrospective in Japan
-
Naoto Fukasawa sparks children’s imaginations with play sculpturesThe Japanese designer creates an intuitive series of bold play sculptures, designed to spark children’s desire to play without thinking
-
Time, beauty, history – all are written into trees in Karimoku Research Center's debut Tokyo exhibitionThe layered world of forests – and their evolving relationship with humans – is excavated and reimagined in 'The Age of Wood', a Tokyo exhibition at Karimoku Research Center
-
Minimal curves and skilled lines are the focal point of Kengo Kuma's Christmas treesKengo Kuma unveiled his two Christmas trees, each carefully designed to harmonise with their settings in two hotels he also designed: The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon and The Tokyo Edition, Ginza
-
Claesson Koivisto Rune on 30 years of their often Japan-inspired designs, charted in a new book‘Claesson Koivisto Rune: In Transit’ is a ‘round-the-world journey’ into the Swedish studio's projects. Here, the founders tell Wallpaper* about their fascination with Japan, and the concept of aimai
-
Teruhiro Yanagihara's new textile for Kvadrat boasts a rhythmic design reimagining Japanese handsewing techniques‘Ame’ designed by Teruhiro Yanagihara for Danish brand Kvadrat is its first ‘textile-to-textile’ product, made entirely of polyester recycled from fabric waste. The Japanese designer tells us more
-
Craft x Tech elevates Japanese craftsmanship with progressive technologyThe inaugural edition of Craft x Tech was presented in Tokyo this week, before making its first international stop at Design Miami Basel (11-16 June 2024)
-
Ikea meets Japan in this new pattern-filled collectionNew Ikea Sötrönn collection by Japanese artist Hiroko Takahashi brings Japan and Scandinavia together in a pattern-filled, joyful range for the home
