Vintage Japanese Silk Fukuro Obi with Suzhou Embroidery – Festival Float Motif - Silk - Japan - 20th century

This is a vintage Japanese Fukuro obi made of silk, richly decorated with Suzhou embroidery, one of the Three Great Chinese Embroidery traditions. Suzhou embroidery originated over 2,500 years ago in Jiangsu Province, China, and is admired for its extremely fine silk threads and smooth, pictorial surface, often described as “paintings in silk.”

The obi features an elegant festival float (dashi) motif, executed with dense embroidery, gold threads, and hiki-haku techniques, creating a refined yet powerful visual presence. While the embroidery technique originates in China, this piece was tailored and used as a Japanese formal obi, reflecting the cross-cultural appreciation of fine craftsmanship.

The outer surface is in very good condition, with no major stains or damage. There is light discoloration on the lining, visible only in close inspection and not when worn. This obi is suitable both for traditional wear and as a collectible textile artwork.

◆Details

Material: Pure silk with gold-thread decoration

Technique: Suzhou embroidery, gold thread, applied foil

Motif: Traditional festival float (symbol of celebration and prosperity)

Condition: Minor staining on the reverse side only