Various styles and widths of stunning, decorative sash are used to tie and hold Kimono in place.
Silk Obi are a wider sash which can present as simply woven silk cloth or vibrantly coloured and/or adorned with embroidery in a wide variety of patterns or motifs. Even if one only ever owns a single kimono it can be dressed up to be suitable for a variety of occasions simply but adding the appropriate sash.
Our small range of handpicked new, vintage and antique obi and other types of traditional sash in 100% silk can be used for tying kimono however we anticipate more of you will desire the Obi as other foreigners do .. for displaying as artwork or utilising them as decorative table or sideboard runners or exotically draped over the end of a bed.
The thinner Obijime, which traditionally tie over the top of the Obi sash to help secure and sometimes enhance it, can be used as a simple tie when wearing Kimono or yukata as a robe. Often they are intricately braided or woven as you will see and as such they also make great belts for a dress or can be used as chord for wearing around your neck - strung with bold beads or a pendant . If you are even mildly gifted when it comes to arts and crafts this will be a doddle.
Sold Out $125.00
This wide vintage Obi sash for Kimono features gold, red, black and white coloured silk brocade in a repetitive hexagonal 'turtoise' pattern with wishes of long life, luck and happiness. Hanabishi is the diamond flower shape. The underside is plain black silk.
This type of Obi would traditionally have been worn at ceremonies and celebrations by noble folk and make an excellent special occasion gift - as a hanging art-piece, decorative runner for a dining table, sideboard or foot of your bed. Wishing them the very best of luck, happiness and long life.
If you are really far more clever and crafty than we will ever be - shorten the obi to turn into a wall hanging, or place mats and table runner or even cushion covers or mix with other obi to re-cover a fabric bed head - perhaps even sew into several clutch or shoulder bags - keep one for yourself and gift or sell the rest!
In perfect condition on both the front, embroidered side and the black silk backing.
Note - Please Read before purchase:
As we take every measure to ensure you are advised of the correct sizing and condition prior to purchase - we ask you to please be aware that we don't refund for Obi chosen in error. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any queries before purchase.
All vintage and antique obi were hand made.
Length
400cm
Width
30cm
Dry Clean Only
We suggest avoiding cleaning if possible - if you absolutely must - you can try dry cleaning but do be aware there is a risk of damage. This piece should be handled with utmost care and respect.
$150.00 $300.00
This antique hanhaba (half width) style Obi from the Meiji period (1868–1912) features a famous trio seen in Japanese history and culture - Pinetrees, Plum blossom and Bamboo.
These good luck symbols often seen in Japanese art, tableware (ceramics and lacquerware) and traditional clothing around the New Year and affectionately referred to as the 3 'Friends of Winter'. The pine represents courage, the bamboo upstanding character and the plum blossom symbolises purity. What better concept for moving forward into a new year.
We've put some light into these images for you to see the detail however the obi itself is quite demure as was the fashion of time and the colour has become a little muted due to exposure to light and air at various stages throughout the last century or more - as you might expect in an antique piece. Unfortunately we don't know the actual age of this Obi but it was woven sometime in the Meiji era - ageing it somewhere between 100 - 149 years (in 2017).
The base colour is dark gold which catches in the light and the pattern features greens from pine needle to olive, pinkish tones and white.
Condition
Given its antique status this beautiful piece is in very good condition - there are a couple of small areas where the weaving has unravelled slightly (see image 3) - which we think adds character and a sense of history. We highly recommend this obi for display purposes only - in order to preserve its beauty.
Note - Please Read before purchase:
As we take every measure to ensure you are advised of the correct sizing and condition prior to purchase - we ask you to please be aware that we don't refund for Obi chosen in error. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any queries before purchase.
All vintage and antique obi were hand made.
Length
386cm
Width
15cm
Dry Clean Only
We suggest avoiding cleaning if possible - if you absolutely must - you can try dry cleaning but do be aware there is a risk of damage. This piece should be handled with utmost care and respect.
If you share our love of Japanese aesthetic and culture then you are in the right place.
Here you'll find a beautifully eclectic collection of goods - from vintage silk kimono to contemporary ceramics, decorative antiques to hand-made tableware, silly socks to stylish bags, temple incense to books on Japanese food, design and style.. and who knows what else we'll find in our travels?
Please be aware that many of our goods are one of a kind and once snapped up they're gone forever...
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