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Kyoto braids are said to have been first created in the Heian era (794-1185AD). The 'Ocho culture' created by the aristocracy during that time caused uniquely Japanese culture (distinct from the influence of China) to flourish, and under it beautiful braids were created in delicate colors. The uses of these braids were varied and changed with the period: in the Heian era, they were used as decorations by the aristocracy, and in the Senkoku period they saw use on tea ceremony tools and weapons. Much effort was involved in the construction of each braid, so they were initially used by the imperial court and the samurai families. However, as time went on they became available to the people as well, and after the beginning of the Meiji era in the late 1800s they were also used as Japanese accessories on, for example, kimono.

For tea ceremony fundamentals such as wall scrolls, boxes and utensils, Kyoto braids are absolutely essential. From the Muromachi era on, through their introduction to tea ceremony, Kyoto braids were made with a more subtle appearance that embodied "wabi-sabi"--the refined Japanese sense of simplicity. This was the origin of the less bright variety of Kyoto braids.
		Overseas, Japanese armor is appreciated as art, and is the subject of collections. A large part of Japanese armor is covered in Kyoto braids, and these braids play a large part in giving Japanese armor the beauty that it has. On armor, a mass of Kyoto braids are used, to decorate and join it together. The total length of the braids used on the torso, helmets and sleeves extends to 300m.

These braids are made of dyed, twisted silk threads on different looms, such as round looms, square looms, twill bamboo looms and raised looms. Depending on the loom used, the braids that can be made differ.
Round Loom	Square Loom	Raised Loom
There are approximately 40 basic braid varieties based on color use and pattern, but the total number of designs and variations exceeds 3000. Kyoto braids are artworks with the strands producing beautiful patterns, but at the same time they are practical. Perhaps these pure traditional artworks are that way because they were developed in the flourishing metropolis of Kyoto.

A veteran with 60 years of experience. She continues to make a variety of works with new designs, driven by as yet unrealized visions.

The elegant beauty of Kyoto braid is produced by carefully repeating the same actions over and over again. It is not unusual for an entire day to be taken to produce a single Kyoto braid; their production is laborious work. The more complicated the weave, the longer it takes. Kyoto braids are divided into categories such as flat-weave, round-weave and square-weave depending on their cross-section. A variety of different names are used to describe them based on the number of threads and the weave method and pattern, such as the four-weave, eight-weave, karagumi and sazanamikumi. Including variations, there are over 300 varieties.
	Ms. Kaji sits on a raised loom, carefully weaving threads from 68 bobbins. With just the tiniest change in applied pressure, the result can vary completely. Even the weave of the plain parts, where the slightest error will stand out, is perfect; this is the work of a master.

Kyoto braids are so strong they were used in NASA experiments, and reportedly did not snap no matter how hard they were pulled. Additionally, the aristocratic families of old Japan passed down special methods for tying the braids used on storage boxes. This was a method for stopping assassination attempts: even if someone took the lid off a box and secretly inserted poison, they would not be able to re-tie the same knot and the aristocrat would know of the trap.

It is said that ancient people believed that the spirit of gods lived in knots. Knots were not simply a device for tying one object to another, but also something that linked people and nature, as well as binding the past and future. The wonderful designs of traditional decorative knots see much use as ornamentation on dolls, art, and in a variety of other places, with their color and dignity making them an essential decoration.

Screen Knot		Woven Bamboo Knot		Five Flowers		Chrysanthemum Knot		Shaka Knot
	Turtle Knot		Awaji Knot		Agemaki (Inserted Shape)		Plum Knot

The shop stands quietly in a residential area of Kyoto's Uji district. With the Byoudou Buddhist temple's Phoenix Hall nearby, it is popular with tourists. Inside this shop, which retains the feel of an old Kyoto townhouse, you can experience for yourself a day of making braids. (Booking required.)

	The shop is filled with a range of cute items, from popular cell phone straps to hair decorations, card cases, wall hangings, and obi belts.