maru obi (Kimono Sash)

The history of the obi as a decorative element dates from the Edo period. There are many different varieties of obi for women's kimonos; this obi is a maru obi, which is made of brocade and fully patterned, for formal occassions. Two other obi sets came with the kimono --see parts m-n and o-p.

Kimono set acquired by donor in 1970, while she was involved with missionaries in the village of Ueda; she wore the kimono for special cermemonies while residing in Japan.

Heavy brocade formal obi for woman's kimono. Repeating embroidery pattern, in gold, green orange, blue, black, purple, red and yellow, depicts an outdoor scene in which a boat floats near a foliage-covered river bank.