Home › Glossary › Letter O

obisash

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A broad sash or belt worn over a kimono or other traditional Japanese garments, tied in an elaborate knot at the back or front, central to the kimono's silhouette.

Detailed Definition
The obi (often referred to as obi sash in English) is a fundamental component of the kimono, its width and ornamentation marking the formality of the occasion and the status of the wearer. In poetry, the obi is described with attention to its fabric—brocade, silk, or woven gold—and the elaborate knots that can take time to tie. The act of tying or untying an obi is often a significant action in love poetry, signaling preparation or intimacy. Its position at the waist makes it a natural focal point, and its bright colors contrast with the kimono's more subdued hues. In haiku, the obi might be mentioned alongside a specific season, as certain patterns are seasonal. The obi also appears in poems about dressing, where a mother or a servant helps with the complex wrapping, emphasizing community and female bonding.
Example
Example in poetry:
"The obi's brocade was a river of gold against the kimono's dark silk"; "She tied the obi with a knot that held the ceremony together"; "The obi's stiff fabric made her stand straight as a rule"; "He unfastened her obi and the kimono fell open like a book"; "The obi's pattern of cranes was a wish for a long life"; "She folded the obi with her mother's hands, a ritual of women"
Additional Notes
The obi (often referred to as obi sash in English) is a fundamental component of the kimono, its width and ornamentation marking the formality of the occasion and the status of the wearer. In poetry, the obi is described with attention to its fabric—brocade, silk, or woven gold—and the elaborate knots that can take time to tie. The act of tying or untying an obi is often a significant action in love poetry, signaling preparation or intimacy. Its position at the waist makes it a natural focal point, and its bright colors contrast with the kimono's more subdued hues. In haiku, the obi might be mentioned alongside a specific season, as certain patterns are seasonal. The obi also appears in poems about dressing, where a mother or a servant helps with the complex wrapping, emphasizing community and female bonding. Related terms include sash, belt, and cummerbund. Students should note the obi's central role in kimono aesthetics and its seasonal and ceremonial significance.
Also Known As
kimono sash decorative belt Japanese obi
Skip to main content