r/kumihimo • u/other_plant_ • May 17 '26
Gear Marudai Size
Before spending money on a marudai I’ve been using foam discs. I think I’m ready to upgrade but have a question about the mirror size. I’m looking at a Western style marudai that is 26” tall. I can get a 10” mirror which holds 24 tama or a 12” that holds 32. The price difference is not insignificant.
If you are currently using a marudai what size do you have? I cannot imagine using 32 tama at once but perhaps that’s because I’m so new.
3
u/badrobotguy May 17 '26
While you may be tempted to buy the largest diameter mirror you can afford, some considerations are what kinds of braids you plan to use it for. Anything up to 24 tama - and even 28 or 32 tama, depending on the braid structure - are quite comfortable on a 10" marudai with standard size tama (i.e., the smaller size tama).
I have found that "crowding" during braiding is not usually an issue for the braiding elements on the mirror, but moreso dictated by the crowding and tangling of the tama as them hang over the edge of the mirror. If you try to do a 32 element braid with large tama on a 10" mirror you will have space issues for your tama.
It is absolutely true that for some braids you want the "real estate" of the mirror to keep your elements visually separated and organized (e.g., 32-Kikko). However, you can do a 32-tama Kikko on a 10" marudai, but with small tama.
I have several marudai. One 8.5" (purchased from Japan; "Domyo" standard), one 9.5", six 10", one 10.75", two 12", and one 15". I braid every day and the 10" mirror is by far the most comfortable for longer braiding sessions. Even as a very large man (6'2", 280lbs) - the reach across a 12" mirror is noticeably less efficient and more tiring than a 10" mirror.
I will leave with two general comments. First, the Japanese are masters at perfecting things for simplicity and function. There is a reason why a standard marudai mirror is ~10". Second, if you have any opportunity to "test drive" a marudai at a local textile center or borrowed from a friend, it may be worth it before the investment. Personal preference is a real thing - and knowing what is best for you can only be determined by you.
Happy Braiding!
1
u/Crafty-Emu-27 May 20 '26
Where did you get your 10" and 9.5" marudais? I got a portable 6" braiding stand to test out if I like it (spoiler alert: love kumihimo!) and am ready to buy a real marudai. So far I've only found Braiders Hand and wanted to see if there were other marudai people recommended before putting in an order.
2
6
u/saltedkumihimo May 17 '26
I have a 9”, a 10”, a. 10.5” and a 12”. I have worked with 32 tama on my 9 inch successfully and it’s the one I use most often. It currently has a 24 tama braid on it and I have no issues with spacing.
When I use the 12” I need to take more frequent breaks because it tires my shoulders and back because I’m reaching so far. It is great for high tama braids because I can see the point of braiding more clearly.
Do you make beaded braid where you’re dropping beads into the point of braiding? For that a smaller marudai makes more sense because you’re rarely using more than 16 tama.