Obi

Accession Number
2016/2.79

Title
Obi

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
mid- to late-20th century

Medium & Support
silk

Dimensions
166 in x 12 in (421.64 cm x 30.48 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Kazuko Miyake

Subject matter

This is a fukuro obi in zentsuu-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.

In the Zentsuu gara type, the obi is entirely covered with designs, patterns, and motifs. The versatility of this patterning allows for a variety of obi tying styles.



Physical Description

cream and beige fukuro obi with interwoven gray-blue, pale red and yellow, and beige alternating seigaiha (wave crest) motif patterning, mountains, pine, bamboo, waves, orchids, (house/shack), and autumnal foliage motif patterning imitating bingata-like (Okinawa textile)  dyeing process.



Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
obi

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
bamboo (material)
gray (color)
obis
repeated motif

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved