Kumi Himo: Techniques of Japanese Plaiting (Paperback)

~ Jules Kliot (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This traditional Japanese braid has developed into the highest order of braid technique and complexity. This book contains detailed illustrations and instructions on technique, tools, materials. It is designed as a guide to understanding the several Japanese pattern texts currently available.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Lacis (September 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916896110
• ISBN-13: 978-0916896119
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #452,691 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Advanced kumihimo instructions, September 30, 2007

By	S. Byra (Quitman, MS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was looking for more books on Kumihimo and ordered this one, hoping for a few pointers on how to use it. What I got was an intense, complicated treatise on the history of Kumihimo. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but this is way beyond the comprehension of a beginner to the craft. If you are an advanced braider, and are looking for complicated patterns, this is the book for you. If you're just starting out, skip this one until you've put in a few years of increasingly tougher patterns, because this book will knock you for a loop if you're a newbie.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Maru Dai and Kaku Dai Pamphlet, December 27, 2008

By	Diane C. (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

Even though this pamphlet has an illustration of a Taka Dai loom on the cover, the patterns included are for the Maru Dai or Kaku Dai looms. This means they can be used on the Kumiloom or similar braiding disk. It includes the four strand Yotsu Gumi (round braid), eight strand Narabi Kaku Yatsu Gumi (round braid), eight strand Yatso Gumi (round braid), Kara Yatsu Gumi (flat braid), eight strand Maru Yatsu Gumi (square braid), Edo Yatso Gumi (flat braid), eight strand Kusari Tsunagi Gumi (round braid), and eight strand Tsukushi Gumi (round braid). It also includes the twelve strand Omuro Genji Gumi (rectangular braid) and the twelve strand Kira Kara Gumi (flat braid). The sixteen strand Sazanami Gumi (chevron flat braid) is shown combined with the sixteen strand Kara Kumi Gumi (reverse chevron flat braid) to make a diamond design. The 32 strand Marugengi Gumi (square braid) and 32 strand Mitake Gumi (rectangular braid) are also included though a little experience would be helpful as only the first bobbin exchanges are shown. Many more repeats are needed before the colors are back to their starting point.
I wouldn't consider this a beginners book. Even though all the information needed is included, I personally would have and did need many more illustrations before it made sense to me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT Published in September 2009, October 10, 2009

By	K. Jennings (Central Texas, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Once again, Amazon has slapped a NEW publishing date on a book that was published YEARS ago. If you think you've bought this pamphlet half a dozen years ago or longer, you're probably right.

I really just wish Amazon would stop monkeying with the 'published on' dates. Some buyers (myself included) are looking for MORE books on Kumihimo and tend to get excited when we see a new date, thinking we might not have this one in our collection. I've already been burned twice on books recently as a result.

Otherwise, what others have said in their reviews are spot-on. This is NOT a beginner's book, but does contain alot of useful information.