This listing is for a full bolt of traditional Japanese fabric intended to be made into a nagoya obi sash. See below for more about nagoya obi.

Moody and distinctly modern, this obi fabric pairs an earthy open weave with flashes of color and metallic shimmer. The brown and black background is loosely woven with fine silver metallic threads running throughout, adding subtle sparkle as well as a noticeably firmer, more structured hand.

Abstract dark panels hold irregular circular and linear forms built from raised woven dashes of pale blue, dusty pink, yellow, rust, cream and green, suggesting distant city lights, planets or fragmented reflections. The combination of coarse texture, metallic threads and deliberately irregular geometric forms gives the design a wonderful mid-century modern, almost Space Age quality.

The stiff, open weave seems to be linen or help, with the design threads possibly silk.

This bolt is laid out in the traditional nagoya obi format: 69" of plain fabric that would be the backside of the obi, followed by a 20" decorative section (bow), 25" plain fabric, another 10" decorative section, and finishing with another 85" of plain fabric.

The fabric is a thick weave that is both pliable and sturdy – perfect for being tied into an elaborate bow at the back of a kimono, and just a perfect as table or wall décor. Plenty of fabric to convert into home décor (pillows!) or an elegant jacket or coat…?

A nagoya obi is a semi formal obi with a partially sewn structure, featuring a wide decorative element at the bow end and a smaller one on the narrower belt section. This bolt has not yet been sewn into the nagoya style but the patterning is set to do so.