8/7/2019 Kumihimo_jednostavno

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Topics: Braiding,

Patterns, Japanese Art

Materials List

Matte board or stifffoam

Yarn, smooth andthick, 7 different

colors

recommended

Permanent marker Scissors or diecutting machine &

dies (available at

RAFT)

This activity can be used

to teach:

Visual Arts in Pastand Present Cultures

Worldwide (CA

Visual Arts

Standards, Historical

and Cultural Contexts

Strand: 3.0)

Describe and ExtendSimple Repeating

Patterns (CA Math

Standards: Grade 1,

Statistics, Data

Analysis, and

Probability, 2.1)

Kumihimo

Braiding Art, History, and Mathematics Together

This simplified version of an ancient braiding technique ties together, art, history, and

mathematical patterns in a fun activity suitable for all ages.

Assembly1. Hand or die cut a circle (10 cm (4) works well) out of matte board or foam to

create a loom. Other shapes will also work. Cut a hole in the center of the loom.

2. Cut eight evenly spaced slits around the edge of the loom. Mark the slits with apermanent marker to increase visibility.3. Cut 7 pieces of yarn, ~1 m (3 ft) long. (Recommendation: use 7 different colors.)4. With the ends even, knot the 7 strands together, about 5 cm (2) from one end.5. Push the knot down through the center hole of the loom.6. Hold the knot below the loom. Pull each piece of yarn from the hole, across the

top of the loom, and down into an empty slot. One slot will be empty.

To Do and Notice - a sample 7 strand braiding pattern1. Hold the loom so that the empty slot is in the 6 oclock position.2. Counting counterclockwise from the empty slot, take the third piece of yarn and

move it over the 2 intervening strands into the empty slot. Tug down on the knot.

3. Turn the loom clockwise until the now empty slot is in the 6 oclock position.4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until the braid (forming below the loom) reaches the desiredlength. To prevent tangles, run a hand down each piece of yarn as it is moved.

5. When the braid is finished, detach the yarn from the loom and tie a knot whichincludes all the pieces of yarn; leave a 5 cm (2) tassel, if desired.

6. Create additional braids, experimenting with various combinations of colors andvarying the sequence of thread movements.

The Content Behind the ActivityKumihimo, braided cord, is a Japanese art which has been practiced for centuries.

Originally created by finger-loop braiding, a number of looms and stands have been

created that allow for braids with complex patterns using dozens of threads. The

braided cords have been used as part of religious ceremonies, as ornamentation, and

to lace together samurai armor. Braiding techniques have been used in many culturesaround the world. The Andeans in Peru have many similar traditional patterns. The

variations in the number and colors of strands combined with the braiding patterns

combine to create designs of both mathematical and artistic complexity.

Taking it FurtherCreate a loom with more slots; vary the number, types, & colors of yarn/threads.

Web Resources (Visit www.raft.net/more for how-to videos and more ideas!)Information on the history, looms, & braids - http://www.gflower.org/kumihimo.htm

and http://www.englisch.kumihimo.de/html/history.html

Introduced to RAFT by Margaret More, written by RAFT Education Department Copyright 2008, RAFT

http://www.raft.net/morehttp://www.gflower.org/kumihimo.htmhttp://www.englisch.kumihimo.de/html/history.htmlhttp://www.englisch.kumihimo.de/html/history.htmlhttp://www.gflower.org/kumihimo.htmhttp://www.raft.net/morehttp://www.raft.net/