Accession Number
2005/1.326

Title
Nagoya-style Obi with wax-resist overall pattern of crackled pink-on-white, interrupted by wax-resist and embroidered designs of colorful tropical orchids

Artist(s)
Minagawa Gekka

Object Creation Date
mid 20th century

Medium & Support
satin damask silk with wax-resist pattern, hand-painted designs, and embroidery

Dimensions
82 11/16 in x 12 7/16 in (210 cm x 31.6 cm);29 15/16 in x 18 1/8 in x 6 5/16 in (76 cm x 46 cm x 16 cm);82 11/16 in x 12 7/16 in (210 cm x 31.6 cm);53 1/8 in x 6 1/4 in (135 cm x 15.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi

Label copy
Nagoya-style obi with wax-resist overall pattern of crackled pink-on-white, interrupted by wax-resist and embroidered designs of colorful tropical orchids

Subject matter
Orchids are traditionally considered as symbols of virtuous person in East Asian cultures. But the white orchid flowers in this obi are cultivated kinds, more recent imports to Japan; their flamboyant appearance conveys exotic feeling.

Physical Description
The obi is made of satin damask silk woven with “flower in tortoise-shell” patterns. “Cracked ice” pattern in red is dyed with wax-resist technique. Orchid flowers, leaves, ginger leaves, and ferns are hand painted in white, yellow, black, red, and green. Silver threads are embroidered in the rim of orchid flowers and other plants; more colored metallic and velvet threads are applied. The “cracked ice” patterns are broader adjacent to plants and red dye outlines them; that suggests that the artist designed flowers and foliage before the wax-resist application. The plant designs are located on two parts of the obi; when wearing, one will appear in front, and other will appear on the back bow.

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
obi

Additional Object Classification(s)
Textile

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
embroidery (visual works)
kimonos
lost-wax process
obis