A Pieced Sakiori Obi: Rag Woven Kimono Sash

early to mid twentieth century
110" x 7 1/2", 279.5 cm x 19 cm

This is a nicely colored and woven sakiori obi, or a traditional kimono sash that is woven using shredded cloth as its weft yarn.

The cotton warp yarns on this obi are black in color.  The weft yarns--thin, shredded rags--are shades of  mottled grey-purple, white, mottled black and mottled orange and grey.  The black warp yarns mute the color of the weft fill and gives a rich color tone to obi.

This obi is a bit unusual because it was cut and mended. If it is seen from the proper "public facing side" this mend is unnoticeable. An accompanying detail photo shows this using arrows pointing to the seam that obscures the mend. However the reverse side of this obi shows the damage and this is also illustrated in the photo attached here.

This hand woven sakiori obi is a very handsome example of a traditional, sakiori weaving.

A beautifully colored, beautifully woven folk textile.