{"id":64268,"date":"2020-04-21T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=64268"},"modified":"2023-05-04T11:33:52","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T02:33:52","slug":"how-to-tie-an-obi-hanhaba-bunko","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/how-to-tie-an-obi-hanhaba-bunko\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Tie an Obi: Hanhaba Bunko Style"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kimono<\/strong> \u7740\u7269 are a traditional form of Japanese clothing worn by both men and women. Kimono are unique to Japan<\/strong> and are considered part of Japan’s cultural heritage. However, wearing a kimono is not an experience reserved only for Japanese people, but one they love to share with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putting on a kimono is a task that intimidates many people, so we asked kimono expert Sheila Cliffe <\/strong>(Instagram: @kimonosheila<\/a>) and kimono aficionado Nichole<\/strong> (Instagram: @nfkimono<\/a>) to demonstrate step-by-step how to put on a kimono and how to tie various types of obi<\/strong>. Sheila and Nichole demonstrated how to dress in kimono by yourself<\/a> in a previous article. Let’s pick up where we left off by demonstrating one of the easiest ways to tie an obi<\/strong> – hanhaba obi<\/em> in bunko<\/em> style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Sheila
Sheila Cliffe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Nichole
Nichole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hanhaba Obi: An Obi for Yukata and Kimono<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is a hanhaba obi<\/em>?<\/strong> There are many different types of obi, ranging from formal obi embroidered with metallic silk thread to casual obi made from cotton with simple patterns or designs. A hanhaba obi<\/em> \u534a\u5e45\u5e2f<\/strong> is a casual obi<\/strong>, half the width of a standard or formal obi. It is not uncommon for a hanhaba obi<\/em> to have a different pattern on the front and back, making it a versatile and inexpensive complement to your kimono wardrobe.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"girl
You can wear a hanhaba obi <\/em>with a summer yukata.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The hanhaba bunko<\/em> \u534a\u5e45\u6587\u5eab style is useful as both a tie for casual kimono like the pink and blue komon<\/em> kimono Nichole is wearing and also for summer yukata. Yukata \u6d74\u8863 are the informal cotton form of kimono<\/strong> worn during Japan’s hot summers, usually to attend festivals. If you learn to tie this obi style, you’ll be ready to go out in kimono or yukata year-round.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Tie an Obi: Step-by-Step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nichole has selected a hanhaba obi<\/em> with two patterns, and she decided the design she wants to show is one of jungle flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step is to measure about 45 cm length from one of the ends of the obi.<\/strong> You can estimate the length by using the distance from your shoulder to your hand.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"measure
Measure about 45 cm from the end of the obi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Taking the length you measured, drape it over your right shoulder<\/strong> with the pattern you are using face down. In this case, the back of Nichole’s obi is yellow with white flowers, and you will see that it is the side facing up. At this point, some people would also fold this length in half horizontally with the main pattern showing on the outside, but this step can be done closer to the end as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a 45 degree fold in the obi<\/strong> so it is oriented horizontally across your midsection below the bustline, completely covering the date-jime<\/em> sash \u4f0a\u9054\u7de0\u3081.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"drape
Create a fold at a 45 degree angle and wrap the obi over the date-jime sash<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Wrap the obi around yourself<\/strong> once by turning clockwise in place one full rotation. Adjust the obi so that it is tightly around you, then repeat the action, another full rotation and tighten the obi around you.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"wrap
Wrap the obi around your torso twice, tightening at each full rotation<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Holding both sides of the loose fabric of the obi, make a crossover tie<\/strong> (like the first part of tying your shoelaces), making sure the short end of the obi that was draped over your shoulder ends up coming out the top of the tie. As before, you can drape it over your shoulder until you are ready to use it later.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"make<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Holding the long end of the remaining obi, measure off about 15-20 cm of width from where the end is tied and fold the obi back toward the tie<\/strong>. The remaining length of the obi will be used to make a bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make the bow<\/strong>, gather the remaining length up in a circle, with the end of the obi ending up on the inside. The width of the flattened circle of obi should be about the width of your torso, so adjust the circle as necessary to make it this width. You should have enough spare length to double back on itself 2.5 to 3 times.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"gather<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Holding the circle of cloth, pinch 1 to 3 folds into the center of it. The number of folds you are able to make depends on the thickness and stiffness of your obi. Hold the folds in place with one hand. If you had not already folded the short end of the obi in half horizontally, do this now, then use it to wrap around the folds<\/strong> you created, holding it in place and creating the bow shape. If you have too much obi length at the short end, you might have to wrap it around twice. Carefully hide any remaining length by tucking it into the part of the obi wrapped around your waist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"fold
Create 1-3 folds in the center of remaining obi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Fold the short side in half lengthwise and wrap the center to form the bow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The bow should be sitting at the top of the obi tied at your waist. Rotate the bow so that it is facing upward<\/strong>, like it was on top of a present, not outward. Adjust the “wings” of the bow to give it a nice shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"hanhaba
Adjust the “wings” of the bow and orient it facing upward, not outward<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it is time to move the bow to its proper place – on your back. Grabbing the obi at the point where the bow is “attached” and the other hand on the obi in the middle of your back, gently rotate the whole structure clockwise until the bow is in the middle of your back<\/strong>. You must go clockwise only, or you will loosen your kimono inadvertently and make a mess. If you rotate the bow too far, keep going clockwise until you get it around again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Grab the front and back of the obi and rotate until the bow is in the middle of your back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And there you have it, a simple and wonderful obi to complement your casual kimono! Practice makes perfect, so if you already have an obi, you can practice tying it while watching yourself in the mirror. You don’t even need to put on a kimono first!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Nichole<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Nichole's<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bonus: The Easiest Way to Tie an Obi, No Tie!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a modern twist by Instagrammer @ayaayaskimono<\/a>, she demonstrates a beautiful and creative way to wear an obi without the need to tie it! With practice, you can put on an obi in a minute or less.<\/strong> This style has become very popular in Japan, especially among young women, so Sheila thought it would good to demonstrate this style as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need an additional accessory, an obi-jime<\/em> \u5e2f\u7de0\u3081,<\/em> which is a braided decorative cord tied over an obi. In most cases, it is purely for decoration, but in this style, it is responsible for holding the obi in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n