Braiding in Japan dates r ight back to the ancient Jomon period.After this time, techniques that were originally brought across from China become a foundation and braid creation was then developed through the use of tools and the characteristic Japanese use of colors. During the Heian period, Kyoto was enveloped with the splendor of the dynasty culture.Braiding came to be used not only for armor and ritual items, but also for the obijime cords of a kimono and belts for haori garments.

There are more than 3000 different kinds of braids, with an appealing wide variety ranging from simple to complex, and there are even braiding techniques that have been lost over the course of time. Compared with the other areas of the world that use string culturally, there is something unique in Japan. This is, the tools that are used for braiding are so well developed, that research students from other countries are surprised at the extensive equipment available.

There are also so many ways to tie the string. In fact, only the basic kinds number around 50 or so.These complex knots once played an important role for preventing poisoning and also they were a kind of puzzle, because if other people were to unravel them then they would never be able to put them together again.

The wonderfully glossy woven in silk thread that shines like jewels allows them to be used a variety of different purposes.

Noboru Kaji, the founder, was fascinated with str ing and in 1948 opened his workshop, Showen Kumihimo beginning with Japanese clothing. Even now his wife Misao Kaji, in her 80s, continues to work there teaching hand-made skills to the next generation and knowledge whilst Tsutomu Kaji, has become the second company manager.

The second generation of Kajis' strength is producing colorful and original braided items with extraordinary speed that are sold throughout Japan.

The items they make have been requested for by a large number of business including fashion, interior, jewelry, etc., and used for a wide variety of uses. Even now, they continue to operate in the style of a small family-run business and wish to keep on making these finely crafted items.

Kumihimo endeavor to continually develop these elegant braids and hope to become a workshop who's braids are not only loved in Japan, but all over the world, becoming a part of people's everyday lives.

Braiding-Its History and Appeal　 SHOWEN KUMIHIMO's HistoryShowen KumihimoFrom Kyo to , f i ne l y c ra f t i ng i t ems fo r 60 yea rs B ra id i ng wo rkshop i n Kyo to - - t he i n teg ra ted p roduc t i on o f dye ing , b ra id i ng & f i n i sh ing i s some th ing on l y f ew can do .

Charm points of SHOWEN KUMIHIMO

Showen Kumihimo design and manufacture items using skilled Kyoto craftsmen in order to util ize the beauty of materials and colors.

Quality craftsmanship from skilled Kyoto artisans

Development of Human ResourcesAt Showen Kumihimo, veteran craftsmen in their 70s and 80s continue to be active. Also, young craftsmen in their 20s are also employed and the organization is set up so that they can learn and gain

Showen Kumihimo are constructed both by hand and machine.As a large amount of the production work is done by hand, machine product ion is used to get the balance just right between strength, durabi l i ty, etc. , and supple high-quali ty feel. This is done by using adjust ing the hardness, thickness of bunches, etc., based on years of experience.In general, when talking about the color of str ings, they look darker after braiding than before, so it is necessary to construct many prototypes to be sure your desired the color scheme is achieved. Also, many prototypes again have to be made during the processing stage, in order to attain a balance between useability and beauty.

1. Integrated Production SystemShowen Kumihimo's biggest appeal is the fact that i t is the only workshop of its kind in Japan where al l processes of manufacture are performed by craftsmen in the same place, from dyeing and tying right down to finishing.Because of this, i t is possible to make the perfect adjustments for division of labor, etc.

I t can be said that, in terms of industry, their f inely woven braids are the outcome that machine development strives for.

2. An abundance of material in stockThe workshop holds material in abundance - 64 colors of pure silk thread and more than 40 colors of synthetic thread. Thanks to this, i t is possible to produce original prototypes etc., in a short amount of time.

3.ProcessingProcessing is Showen Kumihimo's strongest area.They have the knowhow and setup to manufacture high-quality items in short amount of time. For example, they can process a strap into a beautiful shape with a tidy finish - how do they do it so beautifully?!Also, items are processed to be as durable as possible.There is no other company like this, who use a variety of tools and mater ials whi lst ut i l iz ing the original i ty and ingenuity of ski l led craftsmen to find their solutions.Even now they are sti l l improving their processing methods and materials.

Thanks to these 3 systems, i t is easy for them to carry out small lot product ion and create or iginal prototypes as customers' requests. Showen Kumihimo's appeal is that them are able serve your needs, even in a short time frame.

Crafting items through experience and trial manufacture

experience under the wings of the older generation, who in turn pass they knowledge down to the next generation.

On the other hand, 60 years is a comparatively short amount of time for a company, so they are trying their hand at new things.They are involved in new initiatives together with famous companies that include jewelry, fashion, car, appliance, beverage manufacturers, etc., meaning that the chances to make use of their i tems in your everyday modern l i festyle have increased.

From now on they plan to not only produce their exist ing standard i tems, but also they are working hard day by day to accumulate experience for ref ining product development through the use of color, design, etc., and also, most important ly, to cont inue the development of human resources by passing on the baton on to the next generation.

名刺入れ 飾り結び 帯

ネックストラップ 絹艶 お茶缶ストラップ 天然染め

ストラップ 綾高麗 ストラップ 矢絣 三色鈴

商品一覧

Company's Main Accompl ishments and Cl ients

Hieizan Enryakuji, the headquarters of the Tendai sect, which was a place of reverence during the Heian period for the imperial family and noblemen.The many monks of Japan's famous buddhist history, spent their youth practicing buddhism at Mount Hiei amongst and the national treasures and important cultural assets and so the mountain became known as the “mountain mother of Japanese buddhism”.Thanks to the monks of Hiei Enryakuji Temple liking their items, Kumihimo have visited the temple many t imes. The monks use their braided straps with made-to-order color schemes.Braided items with a Hiei Enryakuji Temple wooden name tag attached, said to include people's hopes and prayers, are now available as part a standard line up at the temple.

Hiei Enryakuji Temple

10,000 of Kumihimo's braids were used in promotional sets of Iced Tea.These Iced Tea sets were very popular and were around for an amazing 3 consecutive years. The sets appeared many t imes in commercials featuring Japanese celebri t ies Rie Miyazawa and Masahiro Motoki.Showen Kumihimo was given the job thanks to the quick del ivery of 10,000 i tems, and their str ict standards concerned with factors such as durability and safety.

Suntory Iemon(Tea brand)

The Hyatt Regency Kyoto is adjacent to Kyoto National Museum and famous temples such as Sanjusangendo.An original and very popular good luck strap was born af ter a conversation with the manager of the select shop “Kyo”, which uses the wonderful modern Japanese spirit its theme.They also sell wrist watches that use braids that have been dyed with natural dying methods such as plum dyeing (umezome).

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

The world's first male jewelry brand was created by Mr. Jean Dinh Van, who was or iginal ly a jewelry designer for Cartier. Popular amongst men's magazines such as LEON, his style updated traditional jewelry styles.He has an established reputation for making simple yet authentic designs.Dinh Van's typical i tem is the Pi Chinois pendant and we designed an accompanying 5-colored cord that is supposed to ward off bad luck.

Dinh Van

GI Company is a digital camera special ist subsidiary of the international manufacturer founded by Edison, GE Company. As part of a promotion to establish their brand within Japan, Kumihimo create original digital camera straps for them.In catalogs that are distr ibuted throughout Japan Kumihimo's products are introduced together with those of Kyoto's Miyawaki Baisenan.Due to its popularity, even at the brick and mortar store, a follow-up of this unusual partnership is currently being carried out.

GI (General Imaging)

Kumihimo created or ig inal golden-colored strap and tassel charms attached to fans for this luxury hotel, which was the first 6 star hotel in Japan.The braid itself was a deep, relaxing golden brown color with hints of gold and purple, differing from the light red-purple color of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Tokyo

A luxury ryokan inn located in Gora, Hakone.They buy Kumihimo's ul tra-f ine tassels which include the essence of Kumihimo's skills.These hardy tassels with the refined draped look and glossiness are easy to arrange, making them a popular item.They have many uses, for example, they can be attached to a bag, used as a key holder, etc.

GORA KADAN

Lexus - known in the West for representing qual i ty Japanese craftsmanship. Indeed, the words “Japanese craftsmanship” are included in Lexus' brand concept.Kumihimo created an original strap with an attached metal charm that was used as a free gift for a test drive promotion. On top of the craftsmanship, original colors and silver thread were also used in this high-qual i ty, f inely crafted item.

Toyota Lexus

Kumihino's straps are sold at the largest museum shop in Japan, Souvenir from Tokyo.This very popular select shop managed by CIBONE has, as the name suggests, a line up items that include the essence of Japanese craft and traditional culture.

The National Art Center, Select Shop - Souvenir from Tokyo 鳩居堂（銀座・新丸ビル）様

代官山アドレス様コシノミチコ様イッセイミヤケ様サントリー様任天堂様界ASO（九州）様

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昇苑くみひも　星野〒611-0021京都府宇治市宇治妙楽146TEL：0774-23-5510URL: hoshino@kyotomade.com

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