Discover the past, present and possible futures of kumihimo – an intricate, decorative braided cord from Japan – in this virtual exhibition.
Exploring the virtual exhibition
- Starting just outside the Gallery, head inside the door on the left to begin the virtual exhibition.
- You can hop between exhibits using the circular portals on the floor.
- The camera icons show you the images up close, while the information icons tell you more about the exhibits.
- To immerse yourself in this exhibition, click on the full-screen icon in the top right-hand corner of the tour.
- When you're finished inside the Gallery, continue the virtual exhibition upstairs on the Ground Floor and First Floor
The creation of this virtual exhibition is supported by JTI UK.
About KUMIHIMO
KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by DOMYO is on display at Japan House London from 23 February to 11 June 2023.
Literally translating as ‘joining threads together’, kumihimo is characterized by its vivid colours and intricate patterns, and is created by expert craftspeople who combine up to 140 hand-dyed threads, often made of silk.
KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by DOMYO brings the story of Japanese braiding to life with floor-to-ceiling installations, absorbing video, creative displays of equipment and tools and more than 50 different examples of the braids themselves, imaginatively presented throughout the gallery.
The exhibition is divided into three sections:
- The History of Kumihimo, which explores its 1300-year past from the Silk Roads to samurai and kimono
- The Structure of Kumihimo, which allows guests to get up close to the processes and fine details of the individual braids
- The Future of Kumihimo, which encourages guests to join in the discussions on future kumihimo possibilities in fashion, fine art and science
The exhibition is produced by Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo (Domyo), a company located in the old shopping and entertainment district of Ueno in central Tokyo, which has been making braided silk cords by hand since 1652.
