A Sakiori Obi: Ragwoven Kimono Sash in Mottled Rich Colors

mid twentieth century
118" x 6 3/4", 300 cm x 17 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 warp yarns on this obi are black in color.  The weft yarns--thin, shredded rags--are shades of primarily greyish mottled tones with some warm colors shooting though the weave from time to time.  The black warp yarns mute the color of the weft fill and gives a rich color tone to obi. The obi has a silky, almost drapey hand.

This hand woven sakiori obi is in very good condition, with no visible holes or stains, and it is a very handsome example of a traditional, sakiori weaving.

An beautifully and subtly colored woven folk textile.