This is such a fabulous vintage maru obi with a marvelous embroidery work.
There are various birds such as rooster, pigeon, hawk etc so finely and thickly embroidered with multi-color threads.
The directions of each of the threads are carefully calculated and the embroidery threads are repeated over and over so they well express the sleekness of their feathers.
The cockscombs of the roosters and the face of the pheasant are made up of tiny and dense sagara embroidery loops which easily make you imagine the roughness of their surfaces.
Please take a look at the detail photos and enjoy its wonderful embroidery!

Textile is silk, and it has relatively firm touch.
Golden foil threads are blended in the wefts and so the base has elegant shine as well.

*Right Side*
Its otaiko (square bow) area has a cock, pigeon, pheasant, hawk and Siberian bluechat.
The pattern is set upside down, and it's supposed to be tied in a special way called 'hikinuki'.
Tied in this way, a sparrow and a bullfinch on the backside of the tare end will appear.
There are a golden cockerel and Java sparrows in its maegara (front pattern) area.
The parakeets near the tesaki end won't be visible when worn.

From about the maegara area to tesaki end, there's a mild folding line.
Also, the tesaki end has blackish stains beside the embroidery work (B).
Just below the otaiko embroidery, there's a folded crease which looks faintly discolored (D).

*Backside*
Its otaiko area features a majestic rooster looking upward.
Pretty sparrows cheerfully play around it as well.
This side should be tied in an ordinary otaiko (square bow).
Tied with this side, there will appear no maegara (front pattern) on belly.

There are faint and not outstanding stains in the otaiko (square bow) area (C).

As for other damages, please refer to the photos and the sheet.

This is an amazing artwork that showcases Japanese highest embroidery technique!

*Approx background color - Ivory/Gold
Softness ( Exceptionally Soft, □Soft, Medium, Comparatively Stiff, Stiff )

photo:ozaki
description:ohashi