A Sakiori Obi: Ragwoven Checked Pattern with Changing Tones

early to mid twentieth century
124" x 6 3/4", 315 cm x 17 cm

This is a sakiori obi or a kimono sash that is hand woven from shredded cotton yarn and from some areas that appear to be heavy or thick yarn. The warp is made of fine white yarn and the weft is constructed from shredded cotton rags with the addition of some thick, non woven fiber.

The obi is woven in a way that it shows a kind of checkerboard effect, the size of the checkerboard staying regular along the length of the obi. As well, there are beautiful, randomly spaced zones of different color or tone whose variation add to the visual delight of this piece. 

The obi is in good, used condition with seemingly no damage or flaws.

Beautiful.