Mauve-and-gold brocade obi with woven chrysanthemum scroll pattern
Japanese
Description
Mauve-and-gold brocade obi with woven gold chrysanthemum scroll pattern
Gallery Rotation Spring/Summer 2012
Obi
Japan, Showa period (1926–1989)
1970s
Silk brocade woven in chrysanthemum pattern with gold-wrapped threads
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi, 2005/1.327
An obi is a sash, usually about thirteen feet long and twelve inches wide, that is both decorative and functional, serving as a belt and closure on the outside of a kimono. The wearer can adjust, tuck, and neatly hide any excess length of the kimono under the obi. Additionally, the obi may be tied in a variety of ways, creating pleasing shapes such as bows, shells, butterflies, and birds. Once tied, the flower motifs on this obi appear both on the front and on the back bow. This is a maru-type obi, the most formal kind, and is made out of heavy silk brocade that would be appropriate with an awase or lined kimono during the autumn season.
Subject Matter:
An obi is a sash, usually about thirteen feet long and twelve inches wide, that is both decorative and functional, serving as a belt and closure on the outside of a kimono. Once tied, the flower motifs on this obi appear both on the front and on the back bow. The wearer can adjust, tuck, and neatly hide any excess length of the kimono under the obi. Additionally, the obi can be tied in a variety of ways, creating pleasing shapes such as bows, clams, butterflies and plovers to be displayed by the wearer. This obi is a maru-type, which is the most formal type of obi and made out of heavy silk brocade that would be appropriate with a formal awase or lined kimono during the fall season.
Physical Description:
One continuous length of cloth, doubled back on itself for lining. The front side has a brocade chysanthemum design woven in gold-wrapped thread in three tones. Lozenge pattern with gold-wrapped threads for weft woven throughout.
Usage Rights:
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