Watch how silk thread is dyed and prepared to make kumihimo cords in this video.
The craftsperson mixes the dye to the desired colour by hand, using a combination made from seven basic colours, then dyes the silk thread in a vat of water, constantly making fine adjustments to achieve an ideal colour. They then lightly dry the silk thread to double check the colour is consistent.
Once the silk thread is dyed, the thread is placed on a reel, and wound onto a smaller spool at a steady speed to avoid it stretching or breaking. To finish preparing the silk thread, it is bundled into uniform lengths.
Learn more about this art in our exhibition Kumihimo: Japanese Silk Braiding by DOMYO.
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