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Supported Spinning - Georgia, India, Japan, Russia, Vietnam Georgia In Georgia, They use beautifully carved wooden one piece supported spindles as their main type of spindle.[1] A really pretty Georgian style spindle. These ones are sold on The Woolery, and I super want to try one![2] India Indian hand spinning was assumed to have been done, but almost no written records survive of the hand spinning process. The takli is a type of supported spindle that has survived to now, but there is no evidence for suspended or drop style spinning. The takli was very small, made of metal, and would have been used to spin silk and cotton fibers super fine.[3] The hand spun tradition is mostly lost wheels became very common in India in the early 1900s.[4] Picture of a takli. This is a supported spindle, very much like the kind I have on display. I'm not very good at it, but I can make decently thin silk threads with it. They just are a little lumpy.[5] Japan Hand spinning in Japan- it was likely supported spinning, done in small dishes or small rocks on the floor. As wheels were pretty common, hand spinning was not likely done by many. [6] Russia Russia primarily used a supported spindle, which is really nice for short staple fibers.[7] A Russian supported spindle. It’s made of purple heartwood. I really want one (It’s purple and spinning!)[8] Vietnam The only spindle type I’m finding evidence of in Vietnam is the Ahka spindle, which is a supported spindle. Very colorful, made from wood.[9] The Ahka spindle was used by the Ahka people, who live in the higher elevations of Vietnam. I love the decorated spindles, and this one is just beautiful and looks like it would be fun to play with, if on the heavy side (not that weight matters as much in supported spinning). References [1] Elizabeth, “Artist Spotlight: Kravelli - A Small Business,” Our blog, July 21, 2023, https://woolery.com/our-blog?p=artist-spotlight-kravelli#:~:text=Or%20its%20importance%20to%20you,the%20majority%20of%20the%20population. [2] Katrina King, “Global Spindles You Should Know About,” Spin Off, August 30, 2024, https://spinoffmagazine.com/global-spindles-you-should-know-about/. [3] Chitra Balasubramaniam, “Threads of Heritage: Understanding the Ceremonial Dhoti,” Spin Off, September 23, 2024, https://spinoffmagazine.com/ceremonial-dhoti/. [4] Schroer, Andrea. “Tahkli Spindle Spinning How To.” Mielke’s Fiber Arts, January 4, 2018. https://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/tahkli-spinning-how-to/ . [5] “Tahkli Spindle - Etsy,” Etsy, accessed June 28, 2025, https://www.etsy.com/market/tahkli_spindle. [6] Patra, Rita. “History of Japanese Silk.” Patra, September 11, 2020. https://blog.patra.com/2020/09/11/history-of-japanese-silk/ . [7] Cecile, “The Spindle Tales: Russian Spindles,” The ways of the whorl, December 12, 2010, https://waysofthewhorl.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/the-spindle-tales-russian-spindles/. [8] Ibid. [9] “Akha Style Spindle.” 2019. The Woolery. 2019. https://woolery.com/akha-style-spindle.html .

In Hand Spinning – Nepal, Philippines Nepal In Nepal, depending on material, the spindle spinning could be done as drop or in hand. Animal fibers were mostly done drop, while plant fibers were mostly done in hand. While this did vary from region to region, this seems to have been fairly consistent across Nepal.[1] Philippines In the Philippines, spindles were mostly in hand done on long thin sticks with little to no whorl.[2] Woman unwinding her spindle. Her niddy noddy is hecking cool and I want one. Spindle is either two parts and the whorl can be removed or has no whorl ever. [3] References [1] Josefin Waltin, “Spinning in Nepal,” Josefin Waltin spinner, January 17, 2018, https://waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/spinning-in-nepal/. [2] John Tewell, “Woman Spinning Thread, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Northwest Luzon, Philippines, 1920-1925,” Flickr, 1920, https://www.flickr.com/photos/johntewell/49572157051/in/photolist-2iBUxef-2iwwgdX-2dYeSvi-QKRvWU-Q6xniD-cqH8cj-7M28W7-7LXapi-aKUKJZ-2prdpZ7. [3] John Tewell, “Woman Spinning Thread, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Northwest Luzon, Philippines, 1920-1925,” Flickr, 1920, https://www.flickr.com/photos/johntewell/49572157051/in/photolist-2iBUxef-2iwwgdX-2dYeSvi-QKRvWU-Q6xniD-cqH8cj-7M28W7-7LXapi-aKUKJZ-2prdpZ7.

Vietnam Spinning Wheels are hand cranked, designed to be on tables[1] . The only spindle type I’m finding evidence of is the Ahka spindle, which is a supported spindle. Very colorful, made from wood.[2] The Ahka spindle was used by the Ahka people, who live in the higher elevations of Vietnam. I love the decorated spindles, and this one is just beautiful and looks like it would be fun to play with, if on the heavy side (not that weight matters as much in supported spinning). Fibers that are spun in Vietnam are cotton, hemp, and silk. A girl from Vietnam spins on her wheel. Her wheel is canted as if it’s not normally on the table, but was put there for pictures. This is closer to the ones seen in India, but without looking at the “tires” or knowing if this is its normal place, it’s difficult to be sure.[3] References [1] Chronicle, “Vietnamese Girl Spinning Silk by Hand Stock Photo,” Alamy, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.alamy.com/vietnamese-girl-spinning-silk-by-hand-image66156631.html. [2] “Akha Style Spindle.” 2019. The Woolery. 2019. https://woolery.com/akha-style-spindle.html . [3] Chronicle, “Vietnamese Girl Spinning Silk by Hand Stock Photo,” Alamy, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.alamy.com/vietnamese-girl-spinning-silk-by-hand-image66156631.html.

Turkmenistan Spinning It was a bustling center of sericulture in the 4th through 7th centuries CE.[1] Silk and cotton threads seem to be spun on a wheel, while woolen threads are spun on a spindles.[2] Dating to the Sassanian Empire (224 to 651 CE), the fibers found and produced in Turkmenistan were wool, cotton, and silk.[3] During this time period, cotton was spun on a drop spindle.[3] Early silk in Turkmenistan was said to be so fine, that it wasn’t spun, it was just a single strand of silkworm thread. While silk reels were used, neither spindles nor wheels were used on silk in Turkmenistan until after the 8th century.[3] Whorls found in a dig at Gurukly Depe in southeastern Turkmenistan[3] References [1] “History of Turkmenistan,” Wikipedia, June 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Turkmenistan . [2] “Turkmens,” Wikipedia, June 14, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmens. [3] Dominika Maja Kossowska-Janik, “Cotton and Wool: Textile Economy in the SERAKHS Oasis during the Late Sasanian Period, the Case of Spindle Whorls from Gurukly Depe (Turkmenistan),” Ethnobiology Letters 7, no. 1 (December 31, 2016), https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.7.1.2016.682.

Itoguruma Wheel – Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea Japanese Japanese wheels look a lot like Indian standing charkhras. The wheels were typically larger, and were designed for floor use rather than table use. The other difference is that the Indian charkhras have string “tires” while Japanese wheels have wooden ones. I'm not sure how else to better describe that. The part the drive band goes over is what I'm calling the “tire”, And I'm sure there's a word for it that I don't know. I’m calling them the Itoguruma wheel because they seem to originate in Japan and that’s the Japanese word for them. Japanese women from the late 19th century spinning on a traditional Japanese wheel and reeling wheels. The design is a small souvenir painting of life in Japan.[1] Indonesia Indonesian spinning wheels are called ndatar or ndtaru.[2] The fancy ones would have one or sometimes two statues on them, usually representing Miala Ratu Nggela and Mamu Ratu Ngguku, the first human couple.[3] The ndatar have string wheels and are made to sit on the floor. They are very pretty. A princess’s spinning wheel from Indonesia. Used more for ceremonial clothing than for industrial type use.[4] Super interesting figures, I’m hoping to find more! Laos Wheels made in Southern Laos often feature a naga or a river dragon head for protection.[5] The wheels are “hand operated”[6] . It’s Japanese? That’s so weird. I would have thought Indian, for sure…[7] Oh, it’s tilted too! I feel the need to try and feel the difference on my wheels Nepal Wheels in Nepal are very similar to those of Japan, with spoked wheels that are hand cranked. A woman at her wheel, the drive band is a thread made of cotton, likely scrap from something else. The spindle isn’t really visible, but from what I can see, it’s almost full of thread.[8] Korea Wheels are called Mool Lae in Korean. Hand cranked wheels, designed to be used on the floor. Very similar to Japanese wheels. A mool lae. This one is missing a spindle and drive band, but looks like it could easily be fixed.[9] References [1] Women Spinning Silk | etsy, accessed June 14, 2025, https://www.etsy.com/market/spinning_silk. [2] Georges Breguet, “A Sumba Spinning Wheel: An Instrument, a Work of Art and a Lesson in Philosophy,” Art of the Ancestors, February 15, 2015, https://www.artoftheancestors.com/blog/sumba-spinning-wheel-georges-breguet. [3] Ibid. [4] Ibid. [5] “Weaving of Laos,” Global InCH, accessed June 15, 2025, https://globalinch.org/craft/textiles-of-laos/. [6] Ibid. [7] Tammachat, Using a Traditional Lao Spinning Wheel, September 24, 2009, photograph, Flickr, September 24, 2009, https://www.flickr.com/photos/9255099@N08/3950237653. [8] Jon G Fuller, “A Nepali Woman Spins Wool Thread with a Hand-Cranked Spinning Wheel in the Medieval Newari Village of Khokana, Nepal Stock Photo,” Alamy, April 5, 2013, https://www.alamy.com/a-nepali-woman-spins-wool-thread-with-a-hand-cranked-spinning-wheel-in-the-medieval-newari-village-of-khokana-nepal-image454084442.html. [9] “Very Rare Korean Joseon Dynasty Wood Spinning Wheel ‘Mool Lae,’” eBay, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.ebay.com/itm/151740507461.

Indian Spinning This is where I started. The wheel they use is called a chakra or charkhra depending on how it’s translated, though the word translates to English as “wheel” so it’s actually not super helpful in looking at things translated from Hindi. There are two main types, a standing and a peti, box, or “book” form.[1] The standing form is the older of the two being written about as early as the 13th century, and it is difficult to tell how much older as not many people wrote about the joys of spinning in their books until later, but it’s been a hot minute. Modernly, the book form is a novelty spinning wheel that is relatively cheap to purchase compared to most wheels and can be found on quite a few websites where spinning wheels are sold, though there are delicately few instructions for them. I have also found instructions for 3D printed book charkas which might be good for classes, but I’m not sure how good they would be for general wear and tear. Book chakras were invented by Gandhi in the 1920-1930. Thus, it's not in SCA period, but they are cool and I totally understand if people want to use them. Hand spinning was assumed to have been done, but almost no written records survive of the hand spinning process. The takli is a type of supported spindle that has survived to now, but there is no evidence for suspended or drop style spinning. The takli was very small, made of metal, and would have been used to spin silk and cotton fibers super fine.[2] The hand spun tradition is mostly lost wheels became very common in India in the early 1900s.[3] Silks are super common to see spun in India. As are cottons. Those are probably the two most common fibers depending on exactly where you are in India (it’s a big place!) with the north seeing a little more silk than the south, though the south would see silk in the cities and wealthier areas. A picture of a full sized standing charkhra. The one on display is a miniature version of this. Most are about 18-24 inches tall, and about 36 inches long.[4] A picture of an open book charkhra. This will disassemble and fold down to be the size of a large book. I've had success spinning wool on it more than cotton or silk, but that might be because I'm more practiced in wool.[5] Remember: No Period, But Fun!! Picture of a takli. This is a supported spindle, very much like the kind I have on display. I'm not very good at it, but I can make decently thin silk threads with it. They just are a little lumpy.[6] References [1] Nakonechny, Joanne. “First Steps in Charkha Spinning.” Spin Off, July 4, 2022. https://spinoffmagazine.com/first-steps-in-charkha-spinning/ . [2] Chitra Balasubramaniam, “Threads of Heritage: Understanding the Ceremonial Dhoti,” Spin Off, September 23, 2024, https://spinoffmagazine.com/ceremonial-dhoti/. [3] Schroer, Andrea. “Tahkli Spindle Spinning How To.” Mielke’s Fiber Arts, January 4, 2018. https://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/tahkli-spinning-how-to/ . [4] Dinodia Photos. “Mahatma Gandhi Charkha Spinning Wheel India Stock Photo.” Alamy. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-mahatma-gandhi-charkha-spinning-wheel-india-43150626.html . [5] Nakonechny, Joanne. “First Steps in Charkha Spinning.” Spin Off, July 4, 2022. https://spinoffmagazine.com/first-steps-in-charkha-spinning/ . [6] Josefin Waltin, “Spinning Cotton on a Tahkli Spindle,” Josefin Waltin spinner, November 3, 2018, https://waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/spinning-cotton-on-a-tahkli-spindle/.

Chinese Treadle Spinning – China China invented their treadle after the Han, but I’m uncertain as to when. Their treadle is sideways, but with it being sideways, a skilled spinner can spin 3-5 threads at a time[1] . While the pedal is called a “treadle”, it is inaccurate for European Spinners. We think of pressing a peddle down and the wheel spinning. This is more an oar and a rowing like motion where the whole leg is used to spin the wheel. A replica of a Chinese wheel, used by its creator.[2] The oar-like rowing motion required to move the pedal can be seen here. He is also demonstrating the two threads at a time method used on Chinese wheels. I, for one, am super envious. Diagram showing a period Chinese woman plying 4 threads at once, with notations to guide the reader in the article on the mathematics of spinning, which I did not understand. Also shown more modern Chinese woman spinning 2 threads at once using the same type of wheel. It shows how the wheel is perpendicular to the user.[3] References [1] Li, S.-W., Shi, K., Wang, M.-J., and Yao, Y.-A.: Structural analysis of ancient Chinese textile mechanisms, Mech. Sci., 13, 625–634, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-13-625-2022, 2022. [2] “The Very First Spinning Wheels?,” New Zealand Spinning Wheels and their makers, May 18, 2017, https://nzspinningwheels.wordpress.com/the-very-first-spinning-wheels/. [3] Li, S.-W., Shi, K., Wang, M.-J., and Yao, Y.-A.: Structural analysis of ancient Chinese textile mechanisms, Mech. Sci., 13, 625–634, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-13-625-2022, 2022.

Asiatic Spinning Asiatic Spinning Asiatic Spinning Asiatic Spinning The spinning history is rich and wonderful. While this is by no means a full and complete account, it should be a primer on most culture's spinning. Click the modern country name to get the history of the area Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Cyprus Georgia India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal North Korea Oman Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Syria Tajikistan Thailand Timor-Leste Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen Other Ways to Search By Spinning Type: Itogurama Wheel Charkha Drum Wheel Chinese Treadle Book Charkha Drop Spindle Supported Spindle In Hand Spinning By Fiber Type: Silk Cotton Wool Plant Fiber OR The History Project Our Vision I have gone through culture by culture learning the spinning history of Asia as in depth and as detailed as possible. My goal is to provide a quick exerpt here in an easy to access and read format that allows everyone, especially newcomers to the SCA and other such reenactment groups to have an idea of what type of spinning their persona would have done. I hope to expland this research to include more cultures and time periods as I study farther. I also hope to have an interactive map where one can click on the map and then infomation from that place will pop up! We'll see if I can figure out how to program that... with anything resembling speed.

Armenian Spinning The fibers spun are cotton, silk, and linen for fabrics.[1] They started by importing silk from China, but eventually had their own sericulture.[2] They use wool for the rugs they are famous for, often from local villages.[3] Armenian lace is also sought after (Venetian lace is thought to have come from Armenian lace)[4] and required very finely spun thread. An Armenian woman spinning on a weird drum wheel.[5] I love the way this wheel looks. I wonder how heavy it is? Women and boys with cotton and wheels. The poster posits that they might be refugees and these might be supplies so that they can start a new life. It’s wonderful what spinning can do![6] References [1] “Arts of Armenia,” Textiles - Armenian Studies Program, accessed June 16, 2025, https://cah.fresnostate.edu/armenianstudies/resources/artsofarmenia/textiles.html. [2] Molly Hutto, “A Single Thread, Part One: Textiles in the Near East,” Near East Relief Historical Society, April 6, 2018, https://neareastmuseum.com/2018/02/16/single-thread-part-one-textiles-near-east/. [3] Kyle Khandikian, “Rugs of Resilience: Unraveling the Symbolism of Armenia’s Weaving Traditions,” Ajam Media Collective, August 5, 2024, https://ajammc.com/2024/08/04/armenian-rugs-of-resilience/. [4] “Arts of Armenia.” Textiles - Armenian Studies Program. Accessed June 16, 2025. https://cah.fresnostate.edu/armenianstudies/resources/artsofarmenia/textiles.html. [5] An Armenian Woman Spinning Thread, April 4, 2023, photograph, Instagram, April 4, 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CqnVshAgzj8/. [6] Armenian Women And Boys With Spinning Wheels And Cotton, 1915, photograph, Posterazzi, 1915, https://www.posterazzi.com/armenian-women-and-boys-with-spinning-wheels-and-cotton-ca-1915-21-this-is-possibly-a-refugee-family-receiving-tools-to-make-a-living-in-yerevan-history-item-varevchisl035ec277/.

Mongolia Spinning No evidence of wheels used in medieval times found, which makes a certain amount of sense given they were a nomadic culture and moving around with something as large as a wheel (even one that is typical of Asia at the time) could have been problematic From looking at pictures of historical reenactments, they appear to have used bottom whorl drop spindles. But these are reenactments. I’m not finding primary sources, or even secondary.[1] Hohhot reenactor spinning. I’m dubious, as that spindle looks more European than anything else I’ve seen doing this research, but I’m good at being wrong.[2] Fibers were primarily goat (cashmere is and was huge) camel, and sheep, as raising plant fibers was (and is) not really a thing.[3] References [1] Xinhua, “Hohhot, China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. 15th Aug, 2018. an Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Demonstrates the Spinning Skill of Mongolian Ethnic Group during an Exhibition in Hohhot, North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 15, 2018. Credit: Liu Lei/Xinhua/Alamy Live News Stock Photo,” Alamy, August 14, 2018, https://www.alamy.com/hohhot-chinas-inner-mongolia-autonomous-region-15th-aug-2018-an-intangible-cultural-heritage-inheritor-demonstrates-the-spinning-skill-of-mongolian-ethnic-group-during-an-exhibition-in-hohhot-north-chinas-inner-mongolia-autonomous-region-aug-15-2018-credit-liu-leixinhuaalamy-live-news-image215507083.html. [2] Ibid. [3] Itsabeff, “Mongolian Industries: Textiles & Animal Products,” Judds in Mongolia, April 19, 2021, https://juddsinmongolia.com/2021/04/19/mongolian-industries-textiles-animal-products/.

Cyprus Spinning Cyprus had large scale wool productions, more than just in the home, as early as the late Bronze Age. In the first millennium BCE, spinning and weaving was done both inside the house as well as in workshops. Spindles were two-piece constructions, with stone or terracotta for the whorl and wood for the spindle.[1] I really wanted to find out more about the wheels in Cyprus, but research is being stubborn. I'll see if I can find more on it later. Clay spindle whorl from Cyprus.[4] A woodblock engraving of a Cyprus woman spinning. It’s interesting that she has the wheel tilted. I like it.[5] References [1] Joanna S. Smith, “Changes in Weaving on the Warp-Weighted Loom on Cyprus,” Cahiers Du Centre d’Etudes Chypriotes, no. 49 (December 1, 2019): 129–44, https://doi.org/10.4000/cchyp.461. [2] Terracotta Spindle Whorls, Met Museum, accessed June 22, 2025, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/240498. [3] Tristam Ellis, Spinning Wheel in Cyprus, July 15, 2011, photograph, Getty Images, July 15, 2011, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/illustration/spinning-wheel-in-cyprus-royalty-free-illustration/184314918?adppopup=true.

Kazakhstan Spinning The silk industry was thriving in the middle 500 CE. The silk industry was so important that when it was threatened by the Iranian silk, the king had all the Iranian silk burned. Kazakhstan does grow cotton, but has only done so recently. There is not much evidence of them importing unspun, unwoven cotton.[1] Most of Kazakhstan was a nomadic society. Thus they would have used spindles to do their work. Also, they probably worked mostly with animal fibers. A spindle typical of one found in Kazakstan[2] References [1] Zh. B. Kundakbayeva, “The History of Kazakhstan from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. Volume I. from the Earliest Period To,” dokumen.pub, 2016, https://dokumen.pub/the-history-of-kazakhstan-from-the-earliest-period-to-the-present-time-volume-i-from-the-earliest-period-to.html. [2] Linda LaBelle, “Kazakhstan,” Madderlane, August 29, 2019, https://madderlane.com/category/kazakhstan/.