A rare Item
A geisha's silk maru obi, with ichimatsu design. is a checked pattern which has been used in Japan since ancient times. It is also called arare ("hail") or ishidatami ("stone pavement") but more usually ichimatsu. During the Edo Period (1603-1868) in Japan, a famous kabuki actor, named Sanogawa Ichimatsu, was fond of this pattern and used fabric with this pattern for his traditional clothing. Kabuki actors were the trend setters of the time and, as a result, the check pattern increased in popularity, and came to be commonly known as Ichimatsu and has been known by that name ever since
A very heavy obi. 1.8kilos of silk
Obis belonging to geisha are a very, very rare find
The sash section of the obi's length is folded to half depth when put on, then wound twice around the body. If it is patterned along its length but has a plain section, the plain section is the covered, under part of the sash, so not seen when on
Beautiful to wear and an excellent collectors' item. Obi also make fabulous fabric runners down the centre of a bed or along a dining table or sideboard
Silk
Obi should not be washed
Made in Japan
The Japanese take great pains to store their traditional garments with the utmost care, which is why they stay in such exceptional condition. Some of my Japanese garments have large, white stitching (shitsuke) round the edges. The Japanese put these stitches in to keep the edges flat during long periods of storage, these stitches just get pulled out before wearing the garment
Type: A Nagoya obi. Nagoya obis often have the sash part already folded to half depth, with the knot section at full width, making them easier to put on. Some you fold yourself. Nagoya style was invented about 100 years ago and is less heavy than a more formal fukuro or maru obi. Nagoya are usually tied in a taiko musubi (square style knot, named after the Taiko bridge, at the opening of which, a few geisha wore it as a new style, after which it became very popular and has remained so ever since), though they can be tied in other knots. Nagoya obis are less formal than a fukuro or maru obis but more formal than hanhaba obis. Tsumugi silk obi are less formal than other silk obi.

Condition:
Excellent - an inconspicuous mark

Measurements approximately:
Width 31cm
Length 400 cm
Obi are one-size-fits-all items
 
 
---------------------------------------------
 
 
og1/06/09