A Beautifully Colored Sakiori Obi: Good Age

mid twentieth century
128" x 5 1/4", 325 cm x 13.25 cm

A sakiori obi is a traditional kimono sash that has been woven from shredded rags that have been transformed into weft yarns: sakiori is the Japanese term for rag weaving.

In making sakiori obi the rags used for making weft yarns are cotton but some are silk, rayon or whatever cloth was available or attractive to use for weft yarn.

In this case the sakiori obi is entirely cotton, both warp and weft. This particular obi is notable for its good age and for its rustic appearance.

There are some flaws to the surface from its years of wear: there are some subtle areas of loss, almost impossible to see without holding the obi against the light.

The colors in this obi are beautifully muted and at times dark and variegated. They travel up the length of the cloth in a fairly random manner as it seems the weaver of this obi was using available weft yarns to create this sash.

The warp yarns are brick colored which colors the obi in a rich way, lending a warmth of tone that is attractive.

A wonderful, old sakiori obi.

Recommended.