The tradition of braiding kumihimo dates back to Japan’s Jōmon period. From samurai armor to temple scrolls to obijime, these silk braids are both ubiquitous and often overlooked. Although several kumihimo schools still exist, the oral knowledge tradition and lack of written records have resulted in a cumulative loss of techniques and patterns over the centuries. Efforts to rediscover the original processes focus on preserving Japan’s intangible cultural heritage of braiding kumihimo and reviving it. While masters in the tradition study braid structures to faithfully restore historic braids, scientists are using the structural qualities of kumihimo to create new and innovative materials.