{"product_id":"on-the-art-of-kumihimo-japanese-braiding-circa-1750-1800-mid-to-late-edo-period-illustrated-manuscript-on-the-artform-and-craft-of-making-braids-and-cords","title":"On the Art of Kumihimo (Japanese Braiding), Circa 1750-1800 (Mid to Late Edo Period). Illustrated Manuscript on the Artform and Craft of Making Braids and Cords","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eTitle: On the Art of Kumihimo (Japanese Braiding), Circa 1750-1800 (Mid to Late Edo Period). Illustrated Manuscript on the Artform and Craft of Making Braids and Cords \u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eA mid 18th to early 19th century illustrated manuscript on the practice of Kumihimo, also known as the art and craft of Braiding and Cord Making. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eA practice that goes as far back to the 7th century after initially being introduced by China via the Korean Peninsula, kumihimo was first used in Japan for decorating Buddhist scrolls and other votive objects. Over the centuries into the Heian Period, kumihimo as a practice boomed in popularity, combining earlier braid making techniques to make something uniquely Japanese in design. It was later used to decorate the early Japanese armor worn by samurai and slowly made its way as decorative weave for teaware in the Muromachi Period. By the time of the more peaceful Edo Period, even Japanese swords were decorated with kumihimo, and could be seen on haori, netsuke, and were heavily favored by geisha in adding additional decorations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThis manuscript goes extensively into providing visual aid and instruction in many of these techniques, with numerous diagrams throughout, and dedicated sections to some of the more complicated techniques. By the Meiji Period, kumihimo had largely fallen out of favor and demand, largely due to the dissolution of the samurai class and Sword Abolishment Edict. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eOne manuscript in oblong octavo (19.4 x 13.8), 46 inscribed leaves, two blank leaves in the center\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThis manuscript is in good shape, with staining and worming to the covers. There is some worming more to the top half of the volume, heavier at the first and last handful of leaves. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That Guy With The Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51623251018039,"sku":null,"price":725.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/1589\/4371\/files\/20251217_135714.jpg?v=1769880933","url":"https:\/\/thatguywiththebooks.com\/products\/on-the-art-of-kumihimo-japanese-braiding-circa-1750-1800-mid-to-late-edo-period-illustrated-manuscript-on-the-artform-and-craft-of-making-braids-and-cords","provider":"That Guy With The Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}