Hmmm - not at all what I expected. I think of kumihimo as round (ok, some flat) braids, done on a marudai or a slotted disk - relatively simple tools to make some quite nice patterns of cord. I was expecting a few more patterns and maybe some tricks. But this book is basically about working on a takadai - a much more complicated structure, which allows you to make wide flat braids that are effectively narrow fabric strips. The narrowest here are about an inch wide; the widest are about 5 inches (and he mentions making much wider ones, but those require even more complex additions to the basic takadai). The instructions are detailed, the patterns are gorgeous, and it's a fascinating craft - but it's not what I think of as kumihimo (he explains at the beginning that in Japanese, they don't make the distinction English does between weaving and braiding, let alone varieties of braiding - they're all kumi-himo, gathering of thread). ( )

Ref. bookcover:
Illustrated with over 150 photographs. Making Kumihimo is an ideal gateway for any textile worker, from weavers to embroiderers, wishing to incorporate this ancient and beautiful style of braiding into their work. The author's step-by-step instructions have been developed to make designs easily accessible, and the contents serve as an excellent and comrehensive introduction to the art. ( )