Finding the right kumihimo equipment.

As an avid braider since 2017 when I was stuck on the couch for 7 months due to three unique foot surgeries I discovered the art of kumihimo braiding. As an art form it was dominate in Japan for hundreds of years. 

Here is a quick introduction:

https://web.archive.org/web/20100401040751/http://www.thegenieslamp.com/kumihimo/kumihimo.pdf

There are many braid types - the standard one I enjoy designing is called Kongo Gumi which also has a rich history:

https://web.archive.org/web/20100401040841/http://www.thegenieslamp.com/kumihimo/kumihimo2.pdf

If you are a beginner I suggest you first start off with a kumihimo foam disk before purchasing the more expense marudai stand which is what I use in most of my creations. The graphic shown here with the green thread is an example of one with 16 bobbins (or Tama) loaded with Japanese silks. This is a basic introduction to kumihimo braiding:

https://web.archive.org/web/20100401042331/http://www.thegenieslamp.com/kumihimo/kumihimo3.pdf

For more advanced braiders I recently discovered this Inside Out braid from the Wikipedia site on kumihimo and thought it was fascinating.

https://web.archive.org/web/20060613233500/http://www.rosalieneilson.com/Images/Braids/CW%20Exchange%20InsideOut/Sample-Swap.htm