Description
This dramatic and unusual, handwoven, Silk “Fukuro” Obi, or Japanese sash, has one side patterned in an open fan, Ogi, motif. Each fan includes one of two distinctive patterns: one a stunning snow covered mountain, Yama, vista with a Haiku and the seal of the author and the other a more complicated weaving including a bamboo forest near the edge of water along with an old man on a bridge with signature and seals. In between each of the fan scenes are interwoven calligraphy executed in threads of pure gold.
The design portions of the Obi also appear to be finger woven, resulting in a tapestry effect which showcases beautifully within the overall flatter and more typical Silk Weave. To accomplish such excellence in weaving is a time consuming and laborious process. It took a Master Weaver to include such fine detail in this Obi.
.A Fukuro Obi is worn for formal and semi-formal occasions. The Fukuro Obi differs from the Maru Obi, the most formal of the Obi, by the fact that seams appear on each side of the Obi, rather than on one side only. The unusual characteristic of this type of Obi is that it has an overall motif on one side, while the reverse side has the design appearing only partially, allowing the wearer to choose how much of the design she wishes to show. The other fascinating aspect of the Fukuro Obi is that the more plain side allows the use of a solid color for display. In this marvelous Obi, that color is a mellow shade of gold. The gold stripes at the bottom of the Obi denote that a woman of high rank and status in Japanese society wore this Obi. In addition, only a woman of great wealth and high social rank could have afforded an Obi of this quality during the 1800s.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental United States.
