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Saga brocade obijime (obi cord) in green, red, white and gold

Japanese

Artwork Details

Saga brocade obijime (obi cord) in green, red, white and gold
circa 1960-1980
Japanese
saga nishiki brocade silk with green, red and white silk & gold-coated threads
20 in x 1 in x 3/16 in (50.8 cm x 2.54 cm x 0.5 cm)
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi
2005/1.364

Description

In the language of kimono, colored tomesode are slightly less formal than black. A married woman would wear this type of kimono for the wedding of a nephew or niece or a business associate to whom she and her husband served as matchmakers. Colored tomesode are accompanied by brocade obi, here with gold embellishments, tied around the midsection; the sheer bulk and abundance of such an obi would have perfectly matched the festive mood of a wedding. Accessories are equally important for formal occasions: sandals made of multicolored woven silk fabric and a hand-woven obi cord would be worn with a colored tomesode and brocade obi.
(Wrapped in Silk & Gold Exhibition, Summer 2010)

Subject Matter:

Obijime are cords tied on the outside of the obi. Since they are visible, they come in a variety of colors and styles. Obijime would be chosen to match the kimono.

Physical Description:

Braided silk brocade with green, red, white and gold-covered threads; no tassels

Usage Rights:

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