Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
An obi is a belt of varying size and shape worn with both traditional Japanese clothing and uniforms for Japanese martial arts styles. Originating as a simple thin belt in Heian period Japan, the obi developed over time into a belt with a number of different varieties, with a number of different sizes and proportions, lengths, and methods of tying.
Many Japanese martial arts feature an obi (Japanese: 帯) as part of their exercise outfit. Such an obi is often made of thick cotton and is about 5 cm (2 in) wide. The martial arts obi are most often worn in the koma-musubi knot ( square knot ); in practice where a hakama is worn, the obi is tied in other ways.
There are many ways for men to tie hakama. First, the obi is tied in a special knot (an "under-hakama knot") at the rear. Starting with the front, the ties are brought around the waist and crossed over the top of the knot of the obi. The ties are brought to the front and crossed below the waist, then tied at the back, under the knot of the obi.
Uwa-obi (上帯 [1]) a type of belt/sash that was worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. The uwa-obi was used to attach the sageo (saya cord) of the sword or swords worn by a samurai in order to secure it, other weapons and equipment would be tied to the uwa-obi as well. The uwa-obi was made from linen and cloth made of ...
The obi-age has the dual purpose of hiding the obi-makura and providing a colour contrast against the obi. Obi-age are often silk, and are typically worn with more formal varieties of kimono. Obi-age can be plain-dyed silk, but are often decorated with shibori tie-dyeing; for maiko, obi-age are only ever red with a gold or silver foil design.
Sageo (下げ緒): The sageo is the cord used to tie saya to the belt/obi when worn. Same-hada (鮫肌): Literally, the pattern of the ray skin. Same-kawa (samegawa) (鮫皮): same-kawa is the ray or shark skin wrapping of the tsuka (handle/hilt). Saya (鞘): The saya is a wooden scabbard for the blade; traditionally of lacquered wood.
Get AOL Mail for FREE! Manage your email like never before with travel, photo & document views. Personalize your inbox with themes & tabs. You've Got Mail!
The systematic use of belt colour to denote rank was first used in Japan by Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo in the 1880s. Previously, Japanese Koryu instructors tended to provide rank certificates only. [3] Initially the wide obi was used. As practitioners trained in a kimono, only white and black obi were used.