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Winding Japanese Gold on Koma
Japanese metal is usually couched as a continuous length. In order to control the thread, it is necessary to wind the thread onto the wooden spools called koma.
The koma are wound with single strands of gold and then used as pairs.
In the process of winding the koma, twist can be added to the thread so the separations between the paper twists can be tightened around the silk core. This creates a more even surface and adds to the
reflective quality of the metal. To do this, unwrap the skein of metal and untie the ends. Holding your hand out in front of you and perpendicular to the floor, loop the skein over the thumb of your least
favored hand (if you're right handed, put it on your left thumb). Catch the bottom loop of the skein and wrap it around the hand, starting across the palm, from the thumb up
toward the finger tips keeping the threads taut and parallel. Wrap as many times as necessary to keep the threads taut and end by hooking the loop around the end on a
finger. Now, tie one end onto a koma with a knot. Pick up the koma looking at the back of your hand, and begin winding the thread on to the koma by moving your hand in
a counterclockwise movement. Another way of thinking of this motion is to have the palm of your hand facing toward yourself and rotate your wrist in a clockwise beckoning
motion. After half of your skein is wound, cut the thread, tie on the other koma, and continue. The loose ends are often left hanging from the koma, but you can anchor
them by inserting a thumb tack in the middle of an end of the koma and wrapping the thread around it until it holds.
 The koma are usually used in pairs and Japanese metals
are couched double so that, when couching, the metal is unspooled to a length of about 6-8 inches and the koma are placed one in front of the other with the thread coming from underneath the koma.
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