Event Report from August 3rd - 合同会社 WANOMORI

“Ancient Culture and Everyday Wisdom: The Benefits of Himo”

The event concluded successfully. Thank you to everyone who participated.

On the day of the event, the intense heat of the ongoing summer made it exceptionally hot, and we are deeply grateful to all who attended despite the challenging conditions.

The seminar focused on the theme of Himo-Tore (Himo Training).
Himo-Tore involves gently wrapping a 5–6 mm round cord around the body, which can help alleviate or eliminate stiffness, fatigue, and pain. It also lightens and enhances body movements.。

First, Satoshi Hasegawa, a Yamabushi (mountain ascetic monk), shared insights about the traditional gear worn during his training

As you can see, much of the traditional equipment incorporates various cords (himo). He explained the profound meanings and practical effects of each item in detail, making it a highly engaging and fascinating discussion.

The gear worn by Yamabushi is said to serve both religious significance and practical purposes. For example, the tokin (a headband worn on the forehead) that Hasegawa-sensei wears is intended to ward off evil spirits and protect the forehead, which is a vital point of the body.

Additionally, the kaio-no-o (a cord wrapped around the waist) and the kyahan (cloth wrapped around the shins and secured with cords) are also significant. In Himo-Tore practices, wrapping a cord around the waist or legs is known to alleviate back pain or reduce leg swelling, demonstrating similar practical benefits.

Hasegawa-sensei remarked, “Perhaps people in ancient times were already aware of the benefits of cords and incorporated them into their attire.”

Finally, it was time to dive into the main topic: Himo-Tore. William Reed Sensei, who personally incorporates Himo-Tore into his daily life, gave a lecture on how to use the cord effectively.

Reed Sensei shared that he regularly wears a cross-body himo under his jacket in his everyday life. He explained the effects and changes he has personally experienced in a way that related to familiar situations for everyone, making the lecture highly convincing. However, at this point, some participants seemed to still be a bit skeptical—is it really the effect of the cord?

Himo-Tore is said to have five primary benefits: stability, flexibility, decision-making, explosiveness, and adaptability. Reed Sensei carefully demonstrated how these themes influence actual movements, offering clear and practical examples throughout the session.

“We grow older with each passing year, but with Himo-Tore, we can maintain stability in our bodies, no matter how old we become.”

His unusually firm and confident tone when saying this left a lasting impression on everyone.

Participants had the opportunity to experience the effects of Himo-Tore firsthand by comparing their movements with and without the cord. Many reported significant improvements, especially in terms of stability and flexibility.

I was amazed by the results myself, but it was the participants—witnessing these dramatic changes firsthand—who seemed the most surprised. Some found they could move their arms and legs far beyond their usual range of motion, others experienced reduced wrist pain, and still others demonstrated remarkable explosive power. While the specific effects varied from person to person, most participants noticed some form of change or benefit, whether large or small.

The fact that such changes could occur with just a single cord is astounding. While Himo-Tore currently lacks a solid scientific basis, I believe it’s only a matter of time before its mechanisms are fully understood. This is a prime example of revaluing and modernizing a piece of traditional wisdom.

As mentioned earlier, cords can help alleviate stiffness and pain. Dealing with physical discomfort by simply enduring it is tough, and many people resort to medication. Why not give Himo-Tore a try and see if it can enrich your daily life?

Thank you to all the participants who joined us this time, and special thanks to the staff of the Kofu City Board of Education and the Historical and Cultural Properties Division for their invaluable support.