Japanese Kimono and Obi

The history of Japanese silk goes back a long time. It is said that the Japanese people acquired the technique of silk making from China through a Korean monk at about the third to fifth century, AD. It was the most tightly kept secret then. Being indiscrete with the closely guarded trade secrets invited capital sanctions. It still took more than 1000 years, to the 19th century, for the common people of Japan to even begin thinking about wearing silk - a symbol of the priviledges reserved for the Imperial family, (later on) the Daimyo and the Samurai warrior class.

My first and last kimono outfit was for my 20th year celebration, officially entering into womanhood. It had cost my mother a BIG $2000 to $3000.

Many of the older obis had gold leaves cut and woven into them. They cut real gold leaf to fine strips and wrapped these around a silk thread with which they wove. It is a very tedious and technically difficult task. You will see magnificent dye art casually hidden inside of conservative silk kimonos --- we now wear them inside out as a jacket or decorate our walls with them.

These silks, like precious jewelry, have been passed on through generations from mothers to daughters. They were often treated as money in the past during times of family budget crisis or during wartime. By the end of the Samurai era (end of Edo) in the 19th century and at least a couple of wars in the 20th century, Kimonos quickly became symbols of nostalgia and longing for things of the past. You would definitely be called a "traitor" if you walked around in these pretty kimonos during a time of National CrisisE You will often discover old kimono or obi still with their original basting stitches intact from times of slowed or halted production.

Here is your chance to own a piece of art and history with such a modest price. I welcome you to share my appreciation for beautiful silk textiles. Please click here.