Charcoal Gray Brocaded Silk Twill Obi Sash

Baroque · 1700s · Japanese

This Japanese obi displays a sophisticated brocaded silk twill construction with a repeating diamond lattice pattern. White and light gray floral motifs, including cherry blossoms and stylized leaves, are woven against a charcoal gray ground. The geometric framework creates regular diamond compartments, each containing carefully balanced botanical elements. The silk shows the characteristic weight and body typical of formal obi textiles, with raised brocaded areas creating subtle surface texture. The pattern repeat demonstrates the mathematical precision of Edo period textile design, where floral naturalism is contained within strict geometric boundaries. This type of obi would have been worn with formal kimono, wrapped multiple times around the waist and tied in elaborate knots at the back.