The Artistry Behind Obi Wall Art
■ From "an obi to wear" to "an obi to share."
Many obis have been tucked away in storage for years, yet it's hard to part with them.
Obi Wall Art was created to give such obis a new role, as art to be displayed.
It's more than decoration; it's your own piece of art, connecting memories with the space you live in.
■ One-of-a-kind frames, crafted by skilled woodworkers.
Each Obi Wall Art piece is housed in a wooden frame crafted from south-sea wood, handmade one by one by skilled Japanese artisans.
This wood is tough, dense, and highly resistant to warping over time.
We designed the frames to keep their shape and stay subtle in your space, even after years on display.
■ All processing and finishing is done by hand.
Every step, from setting our obis to carefully handling those entrusted to us, is done entirely by hand. Each piece is meticulously adjusted to perfectly fit the individual obi.
For the surface panel, we use UV-cut acrylic that blocks 97% of ultraviolet rays. This shields the obi from sunlight, helping preserve its original color and glow even after long-term display.
■ We never cut any obis, so the memories remain whole.
These frames are designed to display obi without causing any damage.
No cutting is necessary. Simply drape the obi inside, and its memories will become part of your everyday life as they are.
You can also freely change the obi with the seasons or your mood, enjoying many different looks with a single frame.
■ A frame that holds memories.
Adding an obi to your space brings a touch of the extraordinary to everyday life.
Whether in a Japanese-style room, a Western interior, a Scandinavian living room, or an entryway, the frame's design allows the artful obi to blend effortlessly with any color or atmosphere.
■ Our views on quality and design.
Every Obi Wall Art is crafted through unseen processes and hours of skilled craftsmanship.
The frames are made from south-sea wood, valued for its durability and rich character, and each one is meticulously finished by hand.
This handcrafted touch adds a warmth that mass production cannot replicate, and the quality ensures each frame is fit to display an obi.
We create pieces meant to be displayed and cherished as part of your interior for many years to come.
Product Specifications
✦ Compatible obi: Fukuro obi (approx. 31 cm wide)
✦ Frame size: W17.3in × H24.2in × D1.7in
✦ Front panel: UV-cut acrylic
✦ Frame material: South-sea wood (hard, durable)
✦ Features: No cutting required; simply set the obi as is. Freely replaceable.
I'm looking forward to changing the obi.
▪️ Item purchased: Frame Only (Black)
▪️ Reason for purchase:
I had been decorating my walls with obi like tapestries, but then I had the chance to see an actual frame designed to display obi without cutting.
I realized how easy it was to change the obi inside, so I decided to buy one.
For now, I'm displaying the celebratory kimono my older sister wore when she was three years old. In the future, I'd like to display old obi and undergarments that I can no longer wear.
Choosing the color is part of the fun.
I was told that the mat color could be customized and was shown samples. After much deliberation, I chose basic white this time.
Since changing the mat color can completely transform the atmosphere, I'm now considering purchasing black, gold, or silver ones as well.
A design that blends with Western-style rooms
▪️Purchased frame color: White
▪️Reason for purchase:
While I was looking for Japanese-style interior decor, I happened to come across this frame. I thought it would be fun to display an obi without cutting it, so I contacted the shop to ask about how it could be used. They kindly provided sample images showing the frame in both black and white, which helped me decide on my purchase.
A new way to enjoy kimonos
The frame arrived just two days later. I immediately placed my favorite obi inside, the first thing I wanted to display.
It blended into the room far more naturally than I had imagined. My husband didn't even realize it was an obi until I told him.
As a kimono-dressing instructor, I own many obis. Now, I enjoy choosing which one to display for family occasions or when guests visit. It feels like I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy kimonos.
Thank you very much for answering all of my detailed questions.
"A great topic of conversation when guests come over"
▪️ Item purchased: Frame Only (For Men)
▪️ Mat color: White
▪️ Reason for purchase:
A male acquaintance who works with kimonos told me about this unique frame for displaying obi. I thought it would make a wonderful conversation piece for when I have guests, so I decided to buy it.
"Turning obi into art"
▪️ Impressions after displaying:
I placed it on a large book stand, and it really added a nice accent to the room. The frame itself has a simple design, which makes it perfect for displaying a clean, minimal men's obi. It strikes just the right balance without drawing too much attention.
I usually wear a kimono or a yukata for tea ceremony practice and events, but I'd never considered displaying an obi as art before.
Realizing that an obi is art in itself made me appreciate the depth of Japanese culture all over again.
"As a thank you for her kimonos"
▪️ Item purchased: Frame Only (Black)
▪️ Reason for purchase:
My aunt, who has always loved kimonos, told me she was "graduating from kimonos" because of her age and health, and she gave me her entire chest of drawers filled with them. As a token of thanks, I wanted to find her a gift with a Japanese feel. When I came across this frame, I thought, "This is it."
"You can also display yukata."
I brought the frame and obi to my aunt's house as a gift, and she was so happy.
We wondered if yukatas could also be displayed, and when we tried, she was delighted to decorate her alcove with a summery touch. She told me that from now on, she wants to enjoy kimonos in a new way by displaying them.
I'm grateful I found this product. It turned out to be a wonderful gift.
"The obi I was interested in"
▪️ Item purchased: Frame Only (Black)
▪️ Reason for purchase:
I had been thinking about the obi that was custom-made for my daughter's Coming of Age Ceremony. It had been sitting in my dresser for a long time. Since I'd heard that selling kimonos and obi usually brings almost nothing these days, I started thinking about framing it instead.
▪️ Impressions of the frame:
The frame I received was glossy and beautiful, and I was impressed with how light and easy it was to handle. Unlike the very heavy frames I used for paintings in the past, this one is so easy to manage, even on my own, and that makes me really happy.
"A memorable obi becomes a conversation piece"
▪️ Impressions after displaying:
When I put the obi in the entrance, I saw it every day, and it always made me smile.
It even brought back little memories from my daughter's Coming of Age Day. We ended up talking about them, looking through old photos, and laughing together as a family for the first time in a long while.
It was my first time displaying such fond memories as part of daily life. Without this frame, the obi would have stayed in the dresser, and I doubt we would have looked at it again as a family.
▪️ Favorite points:
One deciding factor for me was the UV-cut acrylic cover, because it feels safe and secure. Also, when my daughter and I opened the beautifully designed box, we both couldn't help but say, "Wow!"
"Shining like art"
▪️ Items purchased: Two black frames (with custom-made mats)
▪️ Reason for purchase:
As a tea ceremony teacher, I own many obis and thought it would be nice to display and enjoy them.
I also remembered the custom-made kimono and undergarment my mother wore as a child, which had been stored away for years. Since they were the same size as an obi, I thought they might fit perfectly in these frames.
Custom mat color: black gold
I framed my mother's childhood kimono, and it fit perfectly.
Because it was a child-sized kimono, I couldn't wear it myself, and I couldn't bring myself to cut it up to remake it into accessories.
When I took it out of its wrapping, placed it in the frame, and hung it up, I was amazed. It looked like a piece of art, bursting with vibrant colors.
Framing it gave me the chance to look closely and rediscover the beauty of the patterns and colors.
"My mother's smile comes to mind"
When I looked closely at the red undershirt made to go with the kimono, I noticed it also had a flower-eating bird on it, such an auspicious design.
I can almost see my mother's proud smile as she treasured this kimono so dearly.
Every kimono and obi carries its owner's feelings and memories, so I'm really happy I can display them like this.
"An obi I can't usually wear"
▪️ Item purchased: Frame Only (For Men)
▪️ Mat color: White
▪️ Reason for purchase:
When I wear hakama for work (I'm a tea ceremony instructor), I use an everyday obi.
But I also have a few favorite obis with patterns that I can't really wear on a daily basis. I felt sad that they were rarely used.
That's why I bought this frame; the idea of displaying obi as interior decor felt new and interesting.
▪️ Impressions after displaying:
I placed it in the entrance hall. This particular obi was so bright that I couldn't wear it daily, so it had been put away, but now I'm happy that I can use it again.
Since obis are pieces of clothing, if you leave them lying around, they just look out of place, and I always worry about them getting dirty or deteriorating. That's why I think using them as decorations is such a wonderful idea.