Clarification of Maru-Dai Kumihimo Techniques Specific to the Non-Straight Braid

In the maru-dai kumihimo, a well-balanced initial arrangement is usually chosen, such as the same number of fiber bundles in the east, west, south, and north directions. On the other hand, in the manufacturing method for non-straight braid which was developed in the prior study, the curving braid structure is made possible by intentionally disrupting the equilibrium of the fiber bundle arrangement．Therefore, the guideline for making the straight braid does not necessarily apply to the non-straight braid．In this study, the specific techniques required for the non-straight braid was investigated with one of the traditional technique, Maru-genji-gumi. First, the kumihimo movements of the expert were observed and the techniques specific to the creation of the non-straight braid are extracted. In addition, the comments made by the experts when they instructed the beginners were analyzed and clarified the tips of kumihimo technique that were expressed as instructions to the beginners. It was found that special techniques are necessary to create the non-straight braid, which is different from that for the straight strings.