What Is a Fukuro Nagoya Obi (Hassun Nagoya Obi)? How It Differs from a Kyuusun Obi
A fukuro Nagoya obi — more commonly called a hassun Nagoya obi — is a Nagoya obi tailored without an interlining. Its pre-tailoring width is about eight sun, so the tailor simply works with the woven fabric's own width and whip-stitches the raw edges of the taiko section. Despite having "fukuro" (bag/pouch) in the name, […]
What Is a Hanhaba Obi? Pairing It with Yukata and Kimono, Types, Length, and Knots
The hanhaba obi is a slim, casual obi worn with yukata and everyday kimono. It's easier to manage than a Nagoya obi or a fukuro obi, and it opens the door to a whole range of playful tying styles — bunko, kai-no-kuchi, ya-no-ji, ribbon-return, and more. If you're choosing one for the first time, it's […]
What Is a Heko Obi? A Soft, Casual Obi That Works for Adults Too
A heko obi is a soft, casual obi that wraps around the body and ties into shape rather than being folded into a structured drum knot. Some people picture it as an obi for children or men, but plenty of heko obi made for adult women are on the market now too, with crinkled texture, […]
What Is a Nagoya Obi? Kyuusun vs. Hassun, Tailoring Styles, and What to Pair It With
The Nagoya obi is shorter than a fukuro obi and easy to tie in a single-fold taiko knot. It runs the range from everyday komon and tsumugi kimono up to somewhat dressier iromuji or tsukesage, depending on the obi's material and pattern. It's not accurate to say "any Nagoya obi works with anything," though. When […]
Types of Kimono Obi: Fukuro, Nagoya, Hanhaba, and Maru Obi Explained
Kimono obi come in several distinct types, and the ones you'll run into most often are fukuro obi, Nagoya obi, hanhaba obi, and maru obi. The single most useful thing to remember as a beginner: fukuro obi for weddings and formal ceremonies, Nagoya obi for everyday and casual outings, and hanhaba obi for yukata or […]