This listing is for a vintage Japanese nagoya style obi from the Fuller Collection. See below for details on this exceptional group of Japanese textiles.

Nagoya obi have a specialized shape - folded and sewn to a 6-7" width for the portion that wraps around the waist but left wide (13-14") for about one yard at the end which would be tied into an elaborate bow.

This obi features an amazing embroidered design that includes a taiko drum, a shakuhachi flute, a fan shape, and florals - all embroidered with a masterful hand. Pine needles (a symbol of longevity) are also delicately embroidered at the wide end of the obi. 

The background is a black and white woven silk - no other patterning to detract from the embroidery.

Note that the larger scene appears on the wider "bow-end" of the obi but - as is typical of nagoya obi -at the center belt portion there is another iteration of the design. In this case, it is a folded fan that appears on just one side of the belt section.

Excellent condition, silk.

See videos below on the different styles of obi as well as ideas for displaying them.

The Fuller Collection – originally over 2000 kimono – was the passion and pride of Richard Fuller of Chicago, IL and Wabasha, MN. Richard served as a US Marine in post-war Japan, and there began his love of and appreciation for vintage Japanese kimono – especially wedding kimono. Richard saw that the mastery and artisanship of traditional Japanese textile techniques was waning – threatening to die out altogether – which sparked his mission to promote this industry and preserve what he could. Click here to read one of his interviews.

Together with his wife Janith, Richard invested in thousands of kimono and obi, opening Wind Whisper West, a kimono gallery in Wabasha, MN in 2003. Most of the collection was sold there, but several hundred pieces remain. Richard passed in 2020, and Janith has consigned the remainder of the collection to Kyoto Kimono to offer through our website. We are honored and proud to be stewarding the Fuller Collection as each piece finds its new home and continues to bring wonder and beauty to admirers around the world.