The last few items I purchased at Matsuri are three obijime. An obijime is a silk cord that is both decorative and functional depending on how you wear it. It functions as a structural component of many types of musubi (obi bows). With a simple yukata tied with a hanhaba obi, you don't need it to be functional, it just looks really cool. I love the more interesting obijime for enhancing the look of an ensemble. Obijime are often hand woven and the best examples can be expensive. Sometimes you can buy obijime in a set with a matching obiage, also known as the obi bustle sash. An obiage looks just like a long silk scarf.
The obijime in the top of the photo is basic black flat weave that appears to be new. The middle one is a wonderful navy and white striped round cord that reminds me of those woven craft thingies you make in summer camp. (Lanyards? I don't know what they are called!) The third is a wonderful vintage obijime in navy and cream that has amazing detail.
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| Detail of the vintage navy and cream obijime |
The intricate weaving and the subtle shading is really lovely and the dark section appears to be wrapped with super-fine silk threads in shades of dark blue and red. Overall, a wonderful addition to my collection.
~Rebecca
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