The traditional beauty woven by a long-established Edo Kumihimo (braided cord) shop that has been in Asakusa for 150 years.

Kumihimo, as the name suggests, refers to the technique and the cords themselves, made by combining threads to create thick, durable braids. The history of kumihimo is ancient, dating back to the Nara period, and it is believed to have been introduced from the continent along with Buddhism. It developed in Kyoto, spread to Edo, and eventually extended to Iga.

From the Kamakura to the Muromachi period, kumihimo was used for samurai swords, armor, and helmets. In the Edo period, it became popular as cords for haori (traditional jackets) worn by both samurai and townspeople, resulting in many craftsmen specializing in the craft. However, as clothing styles shifted from traditional kimono to Western attire with the changing times, the number of kumihimo artisans declined.
Nevertheless, the techniques have been faithfully passed down to this day, and Kiryu-do, a shop located in Asakusa, is one of the establishments preserving this tradition.
It is founded in Meiji 9 (1876). The shop has a history of nearly 150 years, and its current representative, Yuji Haneda, is the sixth generation. Since all the cords are hand-braided, simpler kumihimo, which does not allow for any shortcuts, reveals the skill differences between craftsmen more clearly than more complex ones made with many threads.
While the technique remains consistent, there are regional differences in color preferences and terminology. For instance, the process of aligning and sorting threads by length, thickness, and color is called hekiri in the Kanto region and hejyaku in the Kansai region, showing subtle distinctions. In terms of color preferences, Tokyo tends to favor more subdued tones.

Kiryudo
1-27-6, Kiyokawa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0022
Tel:+81-3-3873-2105
Fax:+81-3-3873-0992
Yuji Haneda
contact@kiryudo.co.jp
https://kiryudo.co.jp/