A Well Textured Sakiori Obi: Ragwoven Kimono Sash

mid twentieth century
100" x 5 1/4", 254 cm x 13.5 cm

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

The warp yarns on this obi are variegated in color and this creates a striping effect.  The weft yarns--thin, shredded rags--are seemingly randomly fed against the warp which creates color surprises as the weft yarns travel up the length of the war.

This hand woven sakiori obi is in used condition, with a bit of loss to one area on the end of the obi (shown on detail photos here) and is a very handsome example of a traditional, sakiori weaving.

This is an elegantly colored, beautifully woven folk textile.