"Arching Noshi" Summer Fukuro Obi

This is a fukuro obi - wide for the entire length, plain on the backside and a patterned design only on the front. There is a one yard "blank" section on the front, as is common with contemporary fukuro obi, where some cost can be saved by leaving it blank where the first wrap layer of the belt portion occurs, since it doesn't show to the public.

An ivory-white ro silk background (open weave - typical of summer kimono) with a gold and silver noshi design. Noshi originally were bundles of dried abalone tied together and display or given as gifts in old fishing villages to celebrate a good catch. Noshi are represented in textiles as strips of decorated ribbon or colorful cloth, tied round the middle with the ends arching away. In any case, it is a symbol of celebration and good will.

There are light scattered blemishes, with one larger area at one end, see photo. Visible fold line from previous wearing.

This is a summer obi - a light ro silk with a stiffer white lining to give it body.

See the videos below on a way to tie this obi or to learn about the different styles of obi.

If you'd like ideas on how to decorate with an obi, we recommend this book - "Design with Japanese Obi" - which you can purchase on amazon.com.