Kongoh Gumi is a 16-element braid with four different color layouts, two of which are unique, while the other two are 180-degree rotations. Braiders will make a sampler by applying the unique layouts of Kongoh to Naiki, a hollow braid which can be flattened, and Naiki Gaeshi, a dense round braid. The sampler will highlight six different patterns, two each for the three braid structures. If using half-length elements, the sampler can be used as a necklace. If using full-length elements, the belt-length cord can incorporate several different Kongoh Gumi patterns.

Two braid structures are the basis of this kumihimo study: 8-element Edo Yatsu Gumi and 16-element Naiki. Using two different colors of silk, braiders will investigate the different effects when a flat Naiki braid divides into two round Yatsu Gumi cords. If the cords are the same length, they form small openings between them when rejoined to Naiki. If the cords are different lengths, they form loops or picots which can appear on the same edge or zig-zag from side to side.