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Antique silk bolt CHIKUZEN HAKATA obi

£40.00 £20.00

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SKU: 0032 Category: Tags: , , , , , ,

Description

Short name: Antique silk bolt CHIKUZEN HAKATA obi

Age:  Antique

Material:  Silk

Weight: 500 g

Condition:  Unused, Very Good

Size:  Length =  356 cm, Width = 22.5 cm

Pattern/Technique: woven chikuzen pattern

Description: Obi bolt for a woven chikuzen hakata obi in purple and white. Unused but with small stain, hardly noticeable, a beautiful purple and white pattern.

Named for the region of Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, where it is primarily woven, Hakata is a distinctive thick silk textile, used primarily for obi, but also found on other items where a stiffer textile is necessary, such as handbags, zori, and especially datejime, where it’s prized for its stiff texture and ability to hold in place without slipping. Hakata silk is very tightly woven, giving an appearance similar to grosgrain ribbon. When it’s being tied, it should have a very distinctive “squeaking” noise as the ridges rub up against each other. This is not a flaw – it is a sign of a good true Hakata weave.

Other common terms for hakata include hon-chikuzen, honchiku, hakata-ori, and kenjo-gara, when referring to the typical geometric design.

Motif Variations

Kenjo-Gara

This motif is representative of traditional buddhist tools, as well as framing stripes.

The first set of stripes are known as Oyako Jima, parent and child. The first instance represents the parents protecting the child in early life.

The narrow geometric stripe is known as Kaki or Hanadai, and represents a Buddhist tool, a base for flowers.

The wider geometric stripe down the centre is known as Dokko, which is another Buddhist tool, a scepter-like object.

The last set of stripes are also Oyako Jima, only now they represent the grown children protecting the parents in advanced age.

While black and white is by far the most common colour combination for hakata weave, it is available in a multitude of other variations, several of which represent the five elements in Chinese mythology, or the five virtues of Confucianism.

  • Purple – Righteousness
  • Green – Benevolence
  • Red (also pink) – Propriety
  • Yellow – Trust
  • Blue – Wisdom

Auspicious Nature

Due to the religious connotations of the standard kenjo-gara formation, hakata can be considered auspicious.

Additional information

Weight 0.75 kg

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