braiding

Braids have ethnic origins in many countries. One tradition is Japanese braiding or kumihimo, one method of which uses a braiding "stool" called a marudai, which means 'round table'.

The top of the table is polished smooth, to accommodate fine silk threads without catching them. It has a hole in the middle where the forming braid emerges below. This top is called the 'mirror'.

Each element or strand is wound on a weighted bobbin, as is the braid. The bobbins are moved in specific sequences to form different braids; some sequences make round braids, others are flat or square; even triangular and hexagonal cross-sections are possible.