Vintage Japanese Silk Fukuro Obi Gold Foil Orchid Black Ground 13'L

Vintage Japanese Fukuro Obi (袋帯) — Honkin Hikihaku Gold-Foil Orchid on Black Ground

Japan, Shōwa period (mid–late 20th century), estimated
156″L × 13″W (396 × 33 cm); approx. 3 lbs

This fukuro obi carries its pattern at both working ends, in standard fukuro construction, with a black satin lining showing where the fabric folds double. The patterned sections combine a dramatic silvery, flame- or grass-like woven ground in black and grey with large orchid blossoms worked in gold-outlined cream and lavender.

The orchid (ran) blossoms are woven in honkin hikihaku — a technique using threads cut from real gold leaf laminated onto paper strips, producing a brighter, higher-relief metallic shine than standard metallic-wrapped thread and historically marking higher-cost Nishijin production. The orchid itself carries associations of refinement and quiet elegance in both Japanese and Chinese literati tradition, a more restrained motif choice than the crane-and-fan or phoenix pieces in this run.

Form: Fukuro obi, pattern concentrated at both ends, black satin-lined
Construction/Decoration: Silk with honkin hikihaku (real gold-foil thread); large orchid blossoms in cream and lavender with gold-outlined petals against a black ground with a silvery flame/grass-patterned weave
Period: Shōwa period, Japan (mid–late 20th century), estimated
Dimensions: 156″L × 13″W (396 × 33 cm); approx. 3 lbs
Weight: ~3 lbs
Condition: Unused. Very Good.