A Wide and Subtly Colored Sakiori Obi: Small Areas of Loss

early to mid twentieth century
120" x 11", 305 cm x 28 cm

Shown here is a sakiori obi, which is a traditional kimono sash that has been woven from a black cotton warp and a weft of shredded, recycled cottons.

This is a very nice, wide obi: it is so wide that when worn it was folded down its center. This folded crease can still be seen on the obi and should be evident in the accompanying photographs.

The colors are muted and variegated in a palette of greys, steel blues, soft greens and silvery purples. The two ends are finished in a grey cotton banding.

Please know there are small areas of loss--very difficult to see--along the length of this obi. If you look closely at the accompanying detail photos you will see the type of small holes that dot the piece. These do not distract from the overall beauty of the piece and honestly they are very hard to detect.

A lovely thing--and sakiori obis of this elegant and understated type and with this good age are increasingly hard to find in Japan.

Recommended.