Obi

Accession Number
2013/2.377

Title
Obi

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
silk, brocade

Dimensions
12 1/2 in x 156 in (31.75 cm x 396.24 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi

Subject matter

This is a Nishiji, Nishiki, and Fukuro Obi in Otaiko gara

The cloud-shaped Kumodori Mon patterns include clouds, flowers, mountains, peacocks, and Takarazukushi mon, an array of precious objects originating from China, used as a motif since the late sixteenth century to symbolize happiness and prosperity.

Nishijin-ori textiles were developed in the Nishijin area of Kyoto city and has dominated the production of high-quality woven textiles since the fifteenth century. Nishiki is a type of vibrant silk brocade with vivid and luxurious images using various colorful  and metallic (mainly gold and silver). Nishiki brocade is mainly produced in the Nishijin area of Kyoto. 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

Shiny beige Fukuro (single sided) obi with interwoven motifs in a Kumodori Mon (cloud-shaped pattern).



Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
obi

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
Edo (Japanese period)
Kyoto
flower (motif)
obis
pattern weave

& Author Notes

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