Wisteria & Waves

Motif

Flowing Water and Hanging Blossoms

This obi brings together wisteria blossoms and flowing water in a highly graphic landscape. Long clusters of wisteria hang from branches, their delicate flowers contrasting with the strong horizontal movement of the water below.

The composition is built from layers of waves, ripples, branches and geometric bands, creating a sense of movement while keeping the overall design remarkably ordered.

Here, the flowers seem to grow directly out of the landscape, their soft forms echoed by the repeated curves of the water.

I particularly love the contrast between the very structured composition and the organic movement of the flowers and waves. The muted peach, silver and blue-grey palette gives the whole obi a quiet, almost dreamlike quality.

Below are two photos of wisteria trees I took in my neighbourhood that, to me, also evoke this contrast between the organic shapes of the vine and the straight lines of architectures.

Textile

Composition: Silk & Lamé

Obi type: Fukuro Obi

The background behind he flowers is textured, with a shimering gold effect that blends into the peach-coloured silk. The textured effect almost looks like someone hand-stitched many little stitched dots, like a Sashiko, but it is created by weaving only.