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The original Obi
The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji, written in the early 11th century by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady-in-waiting at the Heian court, is often considered the world's first novel. It is renowned for its exquisite illustrations, which have inspired Japanese artists and craftsmen for centuries. As always, the obi weavers are no exception, and this obi is one of the most beautiful specimens I purchased.
The Tale of Genji’s illustrations are so appreciated because they give us so many information about the court’s trends at this time. They are famous for their delicate lines, soft colour palettes, and use of hikime kagibana (a stylised way of depicting faces with simple lines). They often feature "roofless views" (fukinuki yatai), a unique perspective that removes ceilings to reveal the elegant interiors of Heian-period palaces, allowing viewers to peer into the world of the aristocracy and witness the novel’s emotional depth and refined aesthetics.
The background is woven with golden threads, creating a square-scale pattern. This design symbolizes the application of gold leaf, referencing traditional folding screen paintings where gold leaf is often applied to the background.
Available items from the same Obi
Mikan original bumbag, made of vintage obi silk and new materials. Light, sturdy & water-resistant.
The motif represents a folding screen painting, as if gold leaves were applied on the backdrop, and the natural elements painted on top, with a beautiful sense of detail.
The original obi is visible below. You can see that I purposely selected the “quieter” pieces of the motif, with only natural elements represented (water flowing and pine trees). I wanted to bring attention to the highly textured backdrop, with the scaly pattern that typically appears when gold leaves are applied. Empty space also makes the natural geometry of pines stand out.
The rest of the obi show interesting historical scenes, and another bumbag will also feature them, linked at the bottom of this page.
Materials
Front: Nishijin-ori jacquard silk & lamé
Back : resistant 3D mesh polyester & nylon mix, olive green
Golden zipper
Wide, adjustable and removable nylon strap (50 cm x 170 cm / 19.6 in x 67 in) gold & green
Details
height: 19 cm in the centre front
width: 18 cm at the bottom, 29 cm at the widest
depth: up to 15 cm
2 front compartments