Obi belt
– HOW TO FASTEN IT?
The Obi is a traditional fabric Japanese belt used with a kimono or yukata (summer light cotton kimono). Its length is usually around 4m. Below are detailed instructions on how to fasten it.
The authentic traditional obi belt (fukuro-obi and nagoya-obi) usually reaches 35 - 40 cm. It is made by hand on a weaver’s loom and is decorated with a different arabesque pattern. Silk threads of different colours and textures are used for its creation. In case a girl plans to learn how to fasten her obi belt properly, she normally attends a special course where she would adopt the practices from the older generations. The course consists of several lessons.
However in the modern world the rules of wearing a kimono have become easier. That is why a lot of Japanese prefer the han-haba obi instead. It is lighter and narrower than the traditional obi (its width is around 15-17cm) and is made of polyester. Anyone can fasten this obi without going to special courses:
1
Place one tail of the obi (the length of approximately 45cm) across your chest and put it on your shoulder.
2
Tightly wrap the remaining part of the obi belt around your waist twice.
3
Fold the obi in half to create a nice diagonal line like on the picture above. Take the other side off your shoulder and pull it towards your opposite shoulder. fold it as well.
4
Lay it on the other side to create a triangle and pull it through the triangle to tighten it. Pull it tightly. Put one of the ends on your shoulder egain.
5
Unfold the lower end of the belt.
6
Fold it along its short edge several times. The length of each fold should be around 30-40 cm.
7
Grip it in the middle to form the bow and hold it with the same hand of the arm the bow is shouldered on.
8
With the opposite hand take the end from the shoulder and wrap it several times around the middle of the bow. Make sure to wrap it upwards.
9
Pull this end up.
10
Find the space between your waist and the belt.
11
Hide the end which you wrapped the bow with there.
12
Pull this end down.
13
Unfold the bow.
14
Move the whole belt around your waist so that the bow is on your back.
15
Make sure that the bow centre is aligned with the middle of your back. Tuck the end of the belt in.