Silk warms carefully bred by silk-raising farmers, and silk threads created by these warms through their short lifetime, the braiding is the art bringing these threads to the product. There are 4 types of stands for braiding  round, square, high and leash-rod   and are used according to types of cords and ways of braiding. It takes a year or longer to learn how to braid, and even more years to become able to braid complicated patterns. Therefore, it is most important for braiding factories to reserve braiding craftsperson with high techniques. The Hirai Kenzo Factory has produced high quality products not only within our factory, but also by contracting with highly skilled craftsperson.
Round Stand	Used for round or flat cords mainly by braiding downwards.
Consists of a Kagami (upper board), legs and a lower board. Braided by threads coiled around bobbins taken out through a center hole of the Kagami and braided cords are hanged downwards. The smallest of the braiding stands, but can be used for various braids from simple cords to complex Kara-kumi. All threads are braided by tightening, so there is a different taste compare to cords braided by beating in with spatulas. Because of limited number of threads to be used, not many types of patterns are available. Instead, the beauty of crossing is expressed by this stand.
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Square Stand	Used for round or square cords mainly by braiding upwards.
Consists of a square Kagami and a pole with a pulley to pull up braided cords. Braided by pulling braided cords hanged from the pole at Kagami. Braiding by twining is the characteristic of this stand, and a cloth is wrapped around legs to stop untwining. Can be used from the simple four threads braiding to complex Kara-kumi, and for round and flat cords.
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High Stand	Used for large and complex braiding. Can braid complex patterns or characters, but high skills are required.
The size is about 90 cm × 90 cm, and a braider sits on a board crossed on the center. One end of threads is tightened to a scroll in front of the stand and another end coiled around bobbins is hanged to upper and lower supports on both sides. Braided according to pattern notes and adjusted by beating crossings with a spatula. By changing colors of threads on upper and lower supports, partial change of patterns such as braiding characters can be done. The complex and various patterns are available by using numbers of threads. Because they were one of ﾒa brideﾕs household effectsﾓ in old days, they are knock down stands and most of them are tailor-made.
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Leash-rod Stand	Used for thin and flat braids. Braided like weaving. Used for braiding obi bands or haori cords.
The size of a frame is about 40 cm square. Boards slashed to fletching figure and round bars are attached in about 45 degrees in front to hang warps between boards and bars. Wefts are hanged on side supports. The wefts are braided between upper and lower warps and then adjusted by beating crossings with a spatula. Lose flat cords which are easy to tighten are braided. This stand can braid the most complex patterns but most of them are variations of line patterns.
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Hirai Kanezo Store co.ltd TEL. 0595-21-0666 TEL. 0595-23-2901 FAX. 0595-21-9400 E-mail:hirai@dento.gr.jp
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