This is a Kumihimo Obi jime especially for wedding formal Kimono called "Kuro Tomesode"
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.
Kurotomesode
Kurotomesode kimonos are the most formal type of kimono worn by married women, mostly by relatives attending a wedding ceremony. The Kurotomesode is completely black only contains patterns that sweep around the entire lower half of the kimono; there are no patterns on the upper body. Kurotomesode usually have a five-family or clan crest, the insignia of the family, located at the chest, back sleeve, and back center of the kimono.
