【With Certificate】Fukuro Obi Motif: The Tale of Genji (Price Reduced)

A luxurious silk fukuro obi (or a full-patterned fukuro obi close to maru obi) featuring the Tale of Genji picture scrolls as its motif. The presence of a certificate (likely a Nishijin-ori guild or manufacturer's certificate) indicates that this is a high-quality obi produced by a long-established Nishijin-ori weaver.
Obi Length: 435cm
Key Features and Evaluation:

• Pattern and Design:
The obi faithfully reproduces famous scenes from the Tale of Genji picture scrolls throughout, including imperial palaces, gardens, noble residences, and the elegant lives of the characters.
Scenes depicting Hikaru Genji (Prince Genji), as well as those related to Aoi no Ue and Murasaki no Ue, court banquets, and garden landscapes (pine trees, Momiji, ponds, bridges, etc.) are intricately woven.
The obi features a gold base with extensive use of gold leaf (genuine gold leaf or haku-gin), with lattice patterns, cloud motifs, and landscapes depicted in the background. The characters' kimonos are rendered in three dimensions using multiple colors and gold threads.
Explanations of the Tale of Genji are woven into the ends of the obi and the otaiko (drum-shaped knot) section, written in black characters in a calligraphy style, with related descriptions such as The Tale of Genji Picture Scrolls, Hikaru Kimi e (To the Shining Prince), Murasaki Shikibu, and Nishijin-ori. This enhances its literary and artistic value.
• Techniques:
This is a high-quality fukuro obi with a full pattern (or close to a six-panel pattern) in Nishijin-ori, combining karagori (brocade weaving), kinran (gold brocade), and foil processing techniques. The density of gold and colored threads is high, and the luster of the foil remains beautifully. It comes with a certificate and bears the mark of the weaver (likely Okabun Orimono or a similar established manufacturer, or from the Ito-oka lineage or a prestigious Nishijin house).

Suitable for formal and semi-formal occasions and above. Its lavish design with abundant gold leaf makes it ideal for formal events such as weddings, receptions, entrance and graduation ceremonies, parties, and tea ceremonies. The Tale of Genji motif is classic and auspicious, making it particularly striking for celebratory occasions. It pairs well with visiting kimonos (houmongi), irotomesode, and iromuji, and is popular among kimono enthusiasts who love literature and classical themes.
• Condition:
Excellent to near-mint condition. Minimal wrinkles, stains, or foil loss, with the luster well-preserved, indicating excellent storage. The certificate helps maintain its value.
Overall, this is a superb piece of Nishijin-ori obi, directly inspired by the Tale of Genji, possessing high cultural and artistic value.