Obi

Accession Number
2016/2.38

Title
Obi

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
mid- to late-20th century

Medium & Support
silk brocade

Dimensions
159 in x 12 in (403.86 cm x 30.48 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Kazuko Miyake

Subject matter

This is a fukuro obi in otaiko gara.

Fukuro Obi is double-layered  single sided obi in which two separately woven surfaces and back pieces of cloth are stitched together. This type of obi is typically only worn at weddings or other formal occasions.

Gara refers to the orientation, arrangement, and surface area of the patterns and pertains to a specific trend and obi tying style.

The patterning in the Otaiko gara type is minimal. A few concentrated spots of patterned motif lie on the obi while the rest is left blank. This style was invented during the Edo period (1615-1868) by the female entertainers in Fukugawa, an entertainment district in present-day Tokyo.



Physical Description

pale brown-green silk fukuro (single-sided) obi with embroidered orange, yellow, and silver gunbai uchiwa (fan held by sumo wrestler referee) motif decorated with white, maroon, and pink wisteria, cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, camellias,  autumnal foliage, and orange ribbons with gold and silver cloud motifs.



Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
obi

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
folding fans
kimonos
obis
silk (silkworm material)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved