obi

Back of a woman wearing a kimono with the obi tied in the ”Tateya Musubi” style

An obi (帯) is a sash of varying size and shape worn with both traditional Japanese clothing and uniforms for Japanese martial arts styles. Originating as a simple thin sash in Heian period Japan, the obi developed over time into a sash with a number of different varieties, with a number of different sizes and proportions, lengths, and methods of tying. The obi, which once did not differ significantly in appearance between men and women, also developed into a greater variety of styles for women than for men.