The obi functions as the tie used to keep traditional Japanese robes, known as kimono (kee-moh-no) secured in place. The obi is wrapped around the woman’s waist over the kimono and is tied in a large knot behind her back.
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Where would you wear an obi?
For women, the obi is tied around the abdomen, whereas for men it is lower, around the waist or above the hips. As for front vs back, that depends on the knot that you’re using. Originally when the obi was used as a simple belt, they would be tied at the front.
What is an obi in Japanese clothing?
obi, wide sash or belt made of satin or a stiff silk material, worn since ancient times in Japan to secure the kimono. A woman’s obi is about 12 feet (370 cm) long and 10 inches (25 cm) wide; a man’s obi is about three-fourths as long and one-sixth as wide.
Why do Japanese books have obi?
With the exceptions of books where belly-bands are used to add marketing claims, obi were unique to Japan and are used to provide the title of the product, track listings (if applicable), price, catalog number and information on related releases in Japanese.
What is an obi geisha?
An obi (帯) is a belt of varying size and shape worn with both traditional Japanese clothing and uniforms for Japanese martial arts styles.
What can you do with an obi?
Large, folded pieces are made with beautiful recycled obi, meant to be displayed as art pieces. They can be used as wall hangings, table centerpieces, or even wrapped around lighting fixtures or flower arrangements.
How do I choose an obi?
The kimono and obi should be shades of the same color. For a light orange kimono, choose a yellow or red obi of the same color to coordinate the shading. This is a very calm coordination, so it is suitable for a small stage show, a dinner, or party. 2, Match an obi of the same color as one of the colors in the kimono.
How do you display a kimono and obi?
Kimonos are often hung facing the wall, with the ends spread open and clipped to the sleeves to display the full range of colors and back details. If the front of the kimono has beautiful detail, you can hang it facing out instead, with the coordinating obi hanging underneath.
How do you clean an obi?
If you’re hand washing, use the lightest soap possible and don’t leave it to soak. If your piece is an obi, spot clean whenever possible. Some obi have layers of stiffener built into them, which may shrink if submerged. A single layer obi may be washable, but we’d recommend hand washing over machine.
What does obi mean on records?
The obi is the strip of paper that wraps around or folds over the left side of some Japanese releases. They can have information on them, such as release date, price, etc., which might be helpful if you read Japanese.
What are obi editions?
Exclusive to Assai Records – a limited edition run of our selected ‘albums of the month’, dressed in an artist-approved, hand-numbered Japanese style obi strip.
What is an obi strip on a record?
An OBI strip is a paper band or a folded paper flap as an addition to your Vinyl Sleeve. The OBI strips are best known from the Japanese import releases where they usually contain the release info in Japanese.
Do guys wear yukata?
Yukata are the most casual form of kimono, which means they are very easy to put on. The most important thing to remember is that both women and men wear yukata in the “right-front” (migi-mae) style.
What is a Koshihimo?
Koshihimo are thin belts that are used to keep a kimono tightly tied together. Traditionally they are simple strips of cotton or silk fabric, which can come loose after a while, and can be uncomfortable if worn too tight.
How much fabric do I need for an obi?
In summary, this is what I came up with: 12 inches wide (add quarter inch seam allowance) 20 inch 1 length, 2 lengths 50 inch (add quarter inch seam allowance) 6 inch wide 120 inch long fusible, semi-lightweight interfacing.
What makes a kimono expensive?
The biggest reason for relatively high cost of even the most casual Kimonos is that they cannot be mass produced effectively. The structure of the garment is such that the vast majority of seams and edges cannot be sewn by machine: they are finished and often also attached with blind stitches.
How can you tell if its a real kimono?
First, the collar of a kimono is made with the same fabric as the body of the kimono. If you see they are made from two different fabrics or colors, then it is either fake, or possibly a juban (underwear for kimono that often has a white collar). Also notice how all three of these come with a matching small thin belt.
How expensive can a kimono be?
Authentic Japanese kimonos can cost between $40 to $800 or more, depending on the material they are made out of, the pattern, and the person who designed the garment.