Antique Japanese Silk Maru Obi Gold Brocade Crane Fan Pine Nishijin 13'L

Antique Japanese Maru Obi (丸帯) — Nishijin 西陣 Karaori Brocade, Cranes & Fans on Gold Ground, Opened Seam / Yardage

Japan, Meiji–Taisho period (circa late 1800s–1920s), estimated
156″L × 13″W (396 × 33 cm) — seam opened, lies flat

This is a maru obi, the fully brocaded, most formal category of women's obi, patterned identically on both faces along its entire length. The seam running down one long edge has been opened, so the sash now unfolds into a single continuous panel of gold-ground silk brocade rather than the doubled tube of a finished obi, leaving a generous 13-foot length of intact weaving.

Repeating fan-shaped (ougi) medallions frame flying cranes (tsuru), clustered pine (matsu), plum blossom, and chrysanthemum drifting among gold clouds — a pairing of longevity, fidelity, and good fortune long favored for bridal and formal maru obi. The metallic ground is built up in supplementary-weft brocading in the karaori manner, with crane wings picked out in black and white silk floats against burnished gold and moss-green pine.

Maru obi were the costliest and most labor-intensive obi format, reserved for weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies, and formal portraiture before the lighter fukuro obi took over everyday formal wear. A woven selvage label at one end reads 瑞光 (Zuikō) alongside 唐織 (karaori) and a 西陣 (Nishijin) designation, with a red roundel chop — almost certainly identifying the Kyoto Nishijin weaving house behind the piece, though the specific workshop hasn't been further researched.

With the seam released, the piece works equally well today as a lavish length of Japanese gold brocade — ready to mount, frame, or repurpose into obi-inspired accessories, garments, or interior textile work.

Form: Maru obi (fully brocaded formal obi), seam opened and laid flat as a continuous panel
Construction/Decoration: Nishijin-style karaori supplementary-weft brocade; gold metallic ground with polychrome silk florals; repeating fan medallions enclosing cranes, pine, plum, and chrysanthemum
Mark: Woven label reading 瑞光 (Zuikō) with 唐織 (karaori) and 西陣 (Nishijin), plus a red roundel chop
Period: Meiji–Taisho, Japan (circa late 1800s–1920s), estimated
Dimensions: 156″L × 13″W (396 × 33 cm)
Weight: Unknown
Condition: Scattered small dark spots/staining on the gold ground (visible in detail shots), light overall soiling consistent with age; fringe at one end intact; opened seam is intentional, not a flaw