Japanese Nagoya Obi with Crane and Flower Motif

Fans, peonies and a crane crowd a gold-flecked cream ground, all talking at once.

This nagoya obi with crane and flower motif is from Japan, and is ca. 1940. It is silk. Kimono sashes are wrapped around the waist and tied at the back, so the pattern on an obi is often placed to be seen there. Folded woven sash dense with overlapping fan shapes holding flowers, pines and small scenes. Orange peonies, crimson accents and metallic thread glint across a pale cream base. A white bird appears at the lower right. It is 12 inches wide and 150 long.

No empty space was harmed in the making.