The "master list" has all the braids in my reference books. (This is still a
work-in-progress; two books are not yet included.)
Anglicized braid names from Japanese texts were kindly provided by Michael Hattori.
A braid may appear in more than one book--and even though it may be made the same
way, it will not always have the same name. This page is a cross-reference between
braid names in the books and their corresponding "look-up names."
Braid "equality" was determined by comparing movement diagrams. In some cases, the
sequences of steps have different beginning points, but as the sequences are repeated
they become the same. For example, the sequence of moves in one book may be
(1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4); in another book, the same moves will have the sequence
(3-4-1-2, 3-4-1-2, 3-4-1-2). For all practical purposes, the two braids are not different.
and both will have the same "look-up name."
The "look-up names" are somewhat arbitrary. In many cases, Makiko Tada's names are
used, but hyphens are omitted and most words are capitalized.
If appropriate, a braid is assigned to a family. For example, in the Kongoh family, the
braids are all made in a simliar way, but the number of tama, number of tama in a group,
and overall movement direction can vary.
Determining braid equality (look-up names) and identifying families are on-going projects.
"tbd" means "to be determined."
The majority of braid shapes come directly from the books. Some braids are traditionally
made with thick and thin elements, and will have a different shape if done otherwise.
(These braids often have "Tsuri-ito" as part of their names, but not always.) A braid
with all elements of the same thickness and its "Tsuri-ito" counterpart will have the
same look-up name.
The braids listed as disk braids come from books with specific disk-oriented instructions.
If you are looking for braids to make, you need not limit yourself to these books. Most
marudai braids can be made on the disk if you translate the diagrams to move one element
at a time, and add adjustment moves as necessary to vacate slots and reestablish spacing.
Making a braid on the disk requires more moves than making the same braid on the marudai,
but the end products are the same.
Place your mouse pointer on the name of a braid and a picture of the book it came from
will appear. Click on the name to go to that book's page.
Use the sort options to refocus the list. Your choice moves your chosen column to the far
left and reorders the rows. The columns rearrange to support the new focus, too. This may
help you find what you're looking for, or may present a different idea. Your chosen sort
will still be in effect when you return to the cross-reference after visiting other areas
of the site. (If this does not work, you may need to enable cookies in your browser. Be
assured no personal or identifying information is stored.)
Use the filter options to view sets of braids. Filters are always applied to the master list,
never to the results of a previous filter. The SHAPE and ELEMENT filters also eliminate
takadai and ayatakedai braids (which are mostly flat, and are often made with varying
numbers of elements, so it seemed appropriate not to show them). If you are interested
mainly in ayatakedai or takadai braids, use the dai filter and sort the results as you see
fit. The ELEMENT filters are mostly ranges, so select the range that includes the number
of elements you want and then sort it. Like sort, your chosen filter will still be in effect
when you return to the cross-reference after visiting other areas of the site.
October 9, 2011
Copyright © 2016 Anita Clark
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