Obi jime

Accession Number
2013/2.468

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 58 in (1.27 cm x 147.32 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
Purple, pink and gold pattern throughout.

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
obis

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved