Women sash belts or Obis are used for Japanese Kimono. The Sash belt or an Obi is used to hold or tighten the kimono at the waist.

Sash belts are a rare apparel and are only worn on special occasions. They make a woman look beautiful and attractive and these belts are efficient in catching the public attention in any ceremony.

Sash belts are a band of cloth or a ribbon worn around the waist to support the Kimono. These are a perfect form of fashion wear for rare but important occasions.

There are also formal Sash or Obi belts which are usually 4 meters long and 60 centimeters in width. The band is folded into half and then wrapped twice around the waist to wear as a formal attire.

The casual sash belts could be 10 centimeters narrow or 30 centimeters wide.

Styles & Designs

Koshi-Himo Sash: This is the first belt tied around the waist.

Date-Jime Belt: This is the second belt tied on and after the first belt around the waist.

Obi-Jime: This is like a braided cord ties on the top of the Obi to look attractive and colourful.

Butterfly Obi Belts: This is a bow shaped Obi belt and is also called the Cho Cho. It is a two piece belt including the wide belt and the bow.

Materials Used

• Cotton
• Wool
• Nylon
• Twill
• Brocade
• Tapestry Weave
• Silk