Our Standard Takadai (tah-cuh-dye) is made to use while sitting in a chair. It is constructed of hard maple with a hand rubbed shellac finish and is easily broken down for traveling. It comes with a maple sword and has eighteen 6-pin koma (carriages with small dowels in them).
One koma is empty on each arm to receive new threads as the braid is being made. The 14 active koma on the Standard Takadai hold 84 tama when using both the upper and lower arms. Fourteen 9-pin koma hold 126 tama.
Wider braids can most easily be made with thicker threads on each tama but if the braider wants a wider, more traditional braid then more tama are necessary. Some braids are narrower than others due to their interlacements.
The Standard Takadai can be ordered with 9-pin koma which hold 126 tama, or you can order a set later if you choose. Our Extended Takadai holds 22 koma and 162 tama.
The 85 gram tama are traditionally used with the takadai, however other weights may be used. Softer more flexible braids need less weight than firm braids. Thirty-two tama are the minimum number to get started on the takadai; our regular takadai holds 84 however most patterns don't go over 68.
It is 26.5" (67.5cm) high and 33.5" (86cm) wide by 28.75" (73cm) deep. We use a fastener system that was originally developed for use in conference booths because they were reassembled so often. Our takadai can also be assembled and disassembled thousands of times without worry that there will be any failure of the bolt and dowel pin assembly.
Made in USA by BraidersHand. The waiting list for takadai is approximately 18 months.
