There are many kinds of Obi. As we wear different type of Kimono for each occasion like formal, visiting someone or everyday life, Obi is chosen by what kind of Kimono you wear.It is useful to know variety of Obi and its characteristics, and you will find a way to wear Kimono well, a balance of formality, harmonys of materials or colors between Obi and Kimono.
These are types of obi: Maru-obi, Hukuro-obi, Nagoya-obi, Hakata-obi, Han haba-obi, etc. Men wear Kaku-obi or Heko-obi.
You can see beautiful design of this Maru-obi, no matter which way you decorate and it looks very gorgeous. It is one piece woven long and widely, and fold it double when you put it on.
It is said that this name, Nagoya-obi, came from Nagoya, one of the major city in Japan, where this is designed in the time of Taisho era (1912～1926). It started to use this popularly since Showa era (1927～1989).
Wide after sewing is about 30cm at back, and length is about 3m60cm.
For further category, there are Kyusun, Hassun and Kagariobi. This obi is designed for Taiko-Musubi , which is designed to show the pattern only in the front part and back when you tie and decorate.
This is a double woven Obi, which is main use in these days. It is called Zen-tsu (Zen for whole) that surface is covered with full designs, and Roku-tsu (Roku for six), which has 60 % of designs. The length is 4m20cm or more.
There are Obi of Ro and Sha for Summer Kimono.
Nijyuudaiko (Nijyu means double) is one of a popular way to tie, which is often used for a formal occasion.
This is produced mainly in Hakata, Hukuoka prefecture. The famous one is Hakata-kenjyo, expressing Tokko or Hanazara (one of acceseries for Buddist alter).
The Kuroda clan in Edo era (1603～1867) used to present this to the shogunate, and then this is called Hakata-kenjyo named after that.