Obi

Accession Number
2013/2.374

Title
Obi

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
silk, brocade

Dimensions
12 in x 153 in (30.48 cm x 388.62 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi

Subject matter

The dark red Tatewaku mon represents rising steam indicated by the swirling lines.  The center of the swirling lines are damask and Karahana mon, stylized Chinese flower motifs created during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in China and arrived in Japan alongside Buddhism during the Nara Period (710-794).

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

Textured light brown Fukuro (single sided) obi with a repeating interwoven dark red floral damask pattern.



Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
obi

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
Nara (Japanese culture or style)
damask
pattern weave
woven material

1 Related Resource

Math Activity: Early Computing and Weaving
(Part of: Math + Art Enrichment Activities)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved