One step closer to kumihimo meditation.

I've finished sanding the parts of my marudai smooth, now I need to glue them all together and apply a finish to it. Some U.S. sources say leave the wood unfinished but on Japanese sites the marudai are finished or even painted/lacquered a solid dark color. One I saw was a reddish brown. I like the oak wood grain so I will not use paint. I already have on hand some Tung Oil, maybe I'll use that. Waste not, want not.

Last week I purchased a set of 8-85 gram tama and the counter weights. I decided to go with actual tama as I love the soft clack sound they make as their rounded ends tap together. I think the muted sound comes from the fact that they are drilled out and lead filled. Heavy but softish at the same time. It is a calming sound.

Next payday I'll buy another set of 8. They are pricey so I'm going to have to spread out the cost. This works out as I can practice my 8 bobbin braiding for a while before I move up to more bobbins.

So the work moves along and my brain is looking forward to hours of relaxation and calm from the rhythmic movements of kumihimo.