A band known as an “obi” is worn alongside both traditional Japanese attire or silk kimono and costumes for Japanese kung fu disciplines. Obis come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
One can match a variety of obi styles with the kimono. Below are the fundamental obi styles and appropriate occasions to utilize them. The order of this ranking is from most professional to least professional.
- Men’s \sKaku: Kaku obi is roughly 4 meters long, the very same proportion as the majority of women’s obi. However, they are significantly narrower, typically only 10 cm wide. These can be donned during marriage with yukata up to and including 5 crest kuromontsuki and are the basic obi for all traditional male kimonos. The design, fabric, and style have complete control over the severity. Although Hakata ori is the most prevalent pattern used in them, other designs are becoming more popular.
- Heko obi are viewed as being quite informal, as was already said. Heko obi, which can be up to 70 cm broad and three to four meters long, are generally the very same length for men and women. usually only used during festivals with yukata or at residence with a kimono.
Children:
- Shigoki
A delicate, single bit of material is used to create shigoki obi, which are tied at the same level as or lower than the traditional obi. They were formerly used among women to fasten their kimonos before leaving the house. However, they are now a required component of a 7-year-old girl’s shichi-go-san costume. They are frequently happy or young hues like red or vivid green. They are entirely ornamental and typically have frills at the end. Women will occasionally put them on in addition to an added touch of style.
- Heko
Children’s heko obis are significantly smaller yet identical to men’s and women’s versions.
Fewer popular obi types:
- chuuya
Chuuya, which signifies day and night, refers to the obi’s two distinct sides, one with a denser, more subdued design than the other. These obi, which are also referred to as hara-awase obi, have the same size as Nagoya obi. Although they are no longer as prevalent, you can still rarely discover this kind of obi.
- Sanjaku
Sanjaku corresponds to Three jaku or 37.9 centimeters. These obis are slightly smaller but similar in size to a traditional male kaku obi. Typically, they are constructed of a smooth, cotton-like fabric that is both commodious and simple to wear. These were common among commoners throughout the Edo period, and you could still see people wearing them now to tie closed festival coats (happy) or to make themselves more relaxed at home.
- Tsuke
This obi is also known as a kantan obi, tsuke obi, tsukiri obi, or tsukure obi. Tsuke-obi are two-piece obi that is simple to wear. Typically, the portion that loops all around the torso and the bow that hangs at the rear are separate. The knotted part is typically already tied, although it can alternatively be left loose to fit different knots. These are frequently seen on yukata obi, but there are also lots of taiko musubi for everyday kimonos.
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