Obi

Accession Number
2013/2.388

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 147 in (31.75 cm x 373.38 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi

Subject matter

The floral rafts contain several recognizable flowers such as peonies and daffodils.

This is a Nishijin, and Fukuro obi in Otaiko gara.

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. 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

Black Fukuro (double-sided) obi with interwoven light brownish gray swirling water ripples and brown rafts with embroidered gold and yellow flowers.



Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
obi

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
brocade (textile)
dark gray
floral patterns
flower (motif)
obis

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved