Japanese Nagoya Obi with Bamboo Motifs

Bamboo sprigs in blue and crimson march across a burnt orange field.

This nagoya obi with bamboo motifs is from Japan, and is ca. 1940. It is silk. In Japan bamboo is a motif associated with strength and resilience, since the plant bends under snow and wind without breaking. Folded woven sash with a dense repeat of bamboo leaves and small blossoms in blue, red, white and gold thread. The ground is a warm rust orange. A crisp fold shows the pattern wrapping around the edge. It is 12 inches wide and 132 long.

Busy, bright and entirely sure of itself.