My Japanese Obi

A Japanese obi is a silk strip of cloth used to tie a kimono. In more recent culture though, they're being used for display items in the home. You can buy ornate obi hangers and hang an obi from the wall. They can be used as table runners or placed on stairs. Some obis can cost more than the kimono itself. They're very beautiful and very durable.

On the American base from time to time they have bazaars where vendors from Japan can come and sell their wares at American prices. This weekend there was a small "stocking stuffer" bazaar at the high school on base. John's community service group acted as cashiers and greeters. I usually skip all the bazaars because I figure it would be too expensive for me, but because John was volunteering at this one, I decided to go.

Boy am I glad I did! They were selling so many beautiful handmade items from dolls to hats to dried wreaths. I ended up walking away with the most gorgeous silk obi, which I'm going to display in the entryway of our home and a Japanese nightlight (that I still haven't figured out a display location.)

I will definitely be going to more bazaars in the future.

The picture doesn't do it justice, but this is the pattern on my obi.

The obi spread out a little bit.