Create flat or zigzag braided cords with ease using this traditional Japanesekumihimo braiding plate.
Kumihimo () is the centuries-old Japanese art of braiding cordsonce used for samurai armor ties and today for accessories, jewelry, and decorative crafts. This square foam plate is a modern tool based on the ayatakadai loom style, perfect for making flat braids often used in misanga, Japans version of friendship bracelets.
It features numbered and lettered notches on all four sides, along with a central square hole. The numbers (112) and letters (AD) help guide thread placement so you can follow patterns easily and keep your strands organized.
Whats Included:
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Kumihimo square braiding plate (with center hole and edge notches)
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Instruction booklet writtenin Japanese, with clear visual diagramsbut has clear diagrams and step-by-step instructions! We use a translation app (Google Translate) on our phones to help extract additional meaning from the translated words. There’s a tutorial for this here!
What Youll Need:
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2 or more embroidery threads or sash cords
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Scissors
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Tape (to secure ends if needed)
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Optional: beads, buttons, or clasps for extra flair
How It Works: Start by threading your strands through the notches following a design pattern. The braiding sequence is usually a simple set of repeated moves between the letters and numbers. As you continue, a flat braid will emerge from the center hole.
Use the braids as bracelet bands, key fob cords, zipper pulls, or decorative accents.
Details:
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Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ x 0.27″ (10 cm x 10 cm x 7 mm)
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Made in Japan
Why Youll Love It:
Makes intricate flat braids accessible to beginners
Lightweight and portable for crafting on the go
A craft with rich cultural roots — in Japan, its believed that when a misanga naturally falls off, your wish will come true.
A small tool with big creative potentialbring the fu of Japanese braiding to your fingertips.
