Description
This is an non traditional portrayal of a very beloved and traditional pattern of Japanese design. The enormous variety of fans in this Obi, highlighted with individual weavings and pure gold, create an irreplaceable artwork.
This exquisite “Maru” Obi, the most formal of the Obi, has been hand woven of the finest pure Silk and Gold threads in the traditional colors or Japan. It is an extraordinary example of the most elaborate of the Maru Obi to be hand woven for Japanese women before the turn of the century. It has but one seam, meaning that the Obi was woven in one continuous panel before being folded over in such a way that the pattern was not lost in the fold. It is, however, the tremendous amount of pure gold thread woven into the design that makes it absolutely unique. The gold is not only part of the intricacy of the pattern; it also creates an overall sheen to this Obi that is unparalleled. Only a member of the nobility, someone with great wealth, could have commissioned the weaving of such a rich Obi.
This is a very intricately hand woven, repeat, scattered pattern of four inch Open Fans (“Sensu”), interspersed with closed fans, laid upon an ivory background. Each of these has been embellished with the individual, traditional designs and colors of Japan. There are the Flower Carriages (“Hana Karuma”) surrounded by Paulownia (“Kiri” ); a Bridge and geometric tortoise shell motif; a pair of Mandarin Crane (“Tsuru”) flying over stylized Waves (“Nami” ); several with pure geometric designs; and the birds eye view of the edge of a porch with Pine (“Matsu”) and Chrysanthemum (“Kiku”). t The fans appear to float on the ivory background in a descending, but regulated, repeat pattern…in a mannerly but elegant style. Each of the specific elements creating an overall message of what was important to the wearer of this gorgeous Obi, as well as indicating to the public the noble status of the wearer. The design has been created from natural dyes. It is devoted to traditional patterns and colors with a heavy predominance of pure gold.
The overall effect of this Obi is one of great prosperity and beauty, while the gold stripes at the bottom of the Obi denote that a woman of high rank and status in Japanese society wore this Obi.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental U.S.
