Accession Number
2013/2.451

Title
Obi jime

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
fabric

Dimensions
1/2 in x 60 in (1.27 cm x 152.4 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi

Subject matter

This is a Kumihimo Obi jime.

Obi jime are cords tied on the outside of the obi. Since they are visible, they come in a variety of colors and styles. Obi jime comes in roughly 2  types: One is called “Maru Guke” for formal attire which contains cotton inside covered by cloth.  Another is a braid called “Kumihimo” for casual to formal attire.  “Kumihimo” is the name of a type of Japanese braiding, meaning a gathering of thread, mostly in a flat form.  This form employs different braiding blocks such as “Kakudai”(square block), “Marudai”(round block) and “Takadai” (high block), creating varieties of Kumihimo Obi jime.

Physical Description
All lavender in a woven pattern.

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
obi cord

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
braid (trimming)
cord (fiber product)
kimonos
lavender (color)
obis