This subtle pink and gray Kumihimo bracelet measures approximately 8 1/4". Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands. Kumi himo is Japanese for 'gathered threads". This technique, for this bracelet, uses seed beads and fiber. Later tools such as the marudai and the takadai were employed to make more complex braids in a shorter time. The most prominent historical use of the cords was by samurai as both a functional and decorative way to lace their lamellar armor and their horses' armor (barding). Wikipedia provides a reasonably concise description of Kumi himo, but fails to mention that it is somewhat addicting in its simplicity and hypnotic rhythm.