A Festival Obi: Well Worn Stencil Dyed Sash
$85.00 USD
early twentieth century
79" x 3", 201 cm x 7.5 cm
This rustically crafted, striped cotton cloth is an obi that would have been used as part of a festival costume: the "flashy" wide stripes are intended to lend a celebratory note to the outfit that would have been worn.
The obi itself is narrow but only because it is one standard loom with of about 13" or 33 cm that has been folded over twice to create an obi-sized belt--the actual width of the cloth is more than is seen here.
The stripes are quickly dyed as can be seen by the stray bits of dye and the obi has been worn as can be seen by the surface patina.
Note the quite faded handwriting and red seal that are shown in close-up on the second detail photo here.
A wonderful thing.
