Do you own an Obi? I do. I own three. What is an Obi, you say? An Obi is a wide sash fastened in the back with a large flat bow, worn by women in Japan as a part of the traditional dress. While we were stationed in Korea I was very fortunate to make two trips to Japan. I wish it could have been more but the stories that you have heard about Japan being expensive are so true!! So, two it was and I was pleased. : o ) I didn't make many purchases while visiting Tokyo in the fall of 2007 but I did purchase these 3 Obi's.
This one is my favorite. It is from the turn of the 20th century, or at least that is what I was told from the vendor. I do believe it is old but either way old or new, it is so pretty. I love it!
In the last house we called home, there were 3 large fireplaces with deep mantles. I was able to use them as decorative runners across the mantles. But in this house, one that we are paying for, we are down to a single small fireplace mantle that isn't very deep. So I've had to be creative. My Obi's are displayed at the top of our stairs over the bannister. Hubby frequently knocks them off, gotta have something to hold on to as he walks down the stairs. What??? Use the railing on the other side!!
Please join Sue and others for some lovely reds at her blog, It's A Very Cherry World.
Fondly,
Ann
27 comments:
Love the obi(s)! I lost mine in a fire. :-( My husband was stationed in Korea (Kunsan AFB) during the Vietnam period. He made a trip to Japan and made some wonderful purchases. Yours are lovely.
Karen
Ladybug Creek
They are so beautiful..we had a couple of them from summer students from there that stayed with us for a month. With moves, I don't know what happened to them! :D
It's very beautiful! And I think it is handmade? Happy Wednesday!
A Chevrolet red pick up
Ann, The obis are so beautiful. What a pretty set. I love the second one-the pattern is wonderful. Thank you for showing a unique collection!
Leslie
My husband was in the Korean conflict in 1950 and spent the last two years of his enlistment in Japan. So, I showed him your obis, he loves everything that reminds him of Japan. Thanks for you comments on my blog today...it sounds like you have lived many places, so I'm sure your husband's collection of canes is extensive. I've really not seen many of them in antique stores but maybe that's because I wasn't collecting them then, lol!
Your obi's are so very beautiful and how wonderful to get a chance to go to Japan!
Happy Rednesday,
Sallyy
How beautiful. And I didn't know what an Obi was. But I have an 87 year old Japanese neighbor who I can now ask about them to.
And as far as them falling off, maybe you could pin them together at the bottom with a bobby pin or something. Just a thought.
Have a great night!
Kim
Those are such beautiful designs--and now I know what an Obi is! :)
Oh My! Absolutely beautiful!!
Hey Sweet Ann,,,these are simply gorgeous!!!
Happy RED day!!!
Blessings and Hugs Dena
Hey,
I knew what an obi was simply because I'm into Crosswords right now, and that seems to be a favorite of theirs. hehehehehe
Yours are very pretty and "red".
D
I like your "favorite" too!!''
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Hi Anne, thanks for stopping by my blog. ;) I found my curtains on ebay and paid a song for them... I have since gone back to look for more with no luck. Good luck with your renovation... can't wait to see.;)
Beautiful obis! I love the look of a kimono and obi. I especially like the wooden sandals with the toed socks that Japanese women wore with their kimonos. I've actually thought of buying a pair for myself.
A great decorating idea too!
What a beautiful collection and a very interesting one too. I have a gorgeous kimono that I use for warmer months. Have a wonderful day.
tootles,
bunny
Those are beautiful, Ann. How neat you got to purchase them in Japan. I used to work with a super-neat Japanese lady in the 1980's who gifted me some treasured items from Japan...an enameled tea caddy, a sandalwood and ivory fan, a theatrical dancer's fan with Fall leaves on one side and Spring blossoms on the other.
Happy REDnesday~
I was enjoying your treasures and then I read the part about your husband knocking them over, yup, that would be my husband too. It made me laugh. I'm sorry that you did not win the Maine Giveaway; however, if you are ever up in maine, i hope you look me up. Thank you for all your lovely comments and I would really like to meet in person some day. Have a lovely day.
Ann I have never heard of them before but have seen them and now I know the proper name for them. My favorite is the middle one. I love how you have them displayed like that.
Oh ya,,how come the family cannot get with the program with our 'vignettes' we have around our house girl? You should see my family with all the mirrors and pictures I have on my wall going down the stairs. Can you even believe they call me 'vain' because I have so many mirrors, LOL
You are very fortunate to get these lovely kimonos. I have heard things are very expensive there. You have to buy something to show you have been there. I have never had the pleasure of visiting there. These are too pretty to not find a good place to display them.
Wow!! They are so beautiful! I've always wanted to visit Japan. I even took Japanese at school with the hopes of being a translator. One girl that was in my class went on to major in Japanese and now works for Microsoft in New York...must be nice! However, your obi's are gorgeous...a true treasure. Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
-April
How blessed you've been to see the world. And so many wonderful treasures around to remind you! Very pretty, thanks for sharing.
Those are beautiful! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog also!
Oh, they're wonderful! They look great on the railing. Yes, tell hubby to use the hand rail!
I'm so glad you brought home the S&P's from KMart, too - they look great in their new outfits!
Oh, these are gorgeous!! The do look beautiful over the railing. I have an old quilt over our ledge which is not a railing, more of a wall looking down from upstairs. These would look beautiful there too. Now if I could only get to Japan? ;)
Your obis are very beautiful &I like how you are displaying them .
Blessings,
~Myrna
Finally had time to come by and I'm so glad I did! Your obis are beautiful. I like the last one a lot too. They are so pretty. I really enjoy seeing your treasures.
Post a Comment