Enjoying Kimonos with Just a Kimono and Obi

Otaiko

When people think of “kimono,” they often imagine a specific style like this one:

This style typically requires not only a kimono and obi but also an obi age (a decorative cloth used to cover the top of the obi) and an obi cord (to secure the obi in place). However, it is entirely possible to enjoy wearing a kimono without these additional accessories, and I’d like to share how you can do that!

Using a Han-Haba Obi

When we talk about obis, the Nagoya obi is probably the most commonly used type. It can be worn for both casual and semi-formal occasions. The han-haba obi is half the width of a Nagoya obi, and you don’t need an obi age or obi cord when using it. This makes it the easiest option, especially for beginners. Additionally, there are many variations on how to tie a han-haba obi, and you can find plenty of tutorial videos on YouTube if you’re interested in learning more.

One thing to keep in mind is that han-haba obis are generally more casual, so it’s best to avoid wearing them for formal occasions.

Using a Nagoya Obi

Another option is to tie a Nagoya obi without using an obi pillow or tying it in a way that relies solely on the Nagoya obi itself. Again, many people have shared video tutorials demonstrating this method.

I tried this tying method during the hot summer months.

The obi I used was made of thin polyester, and while I didn’t execute it perfectly, I can confirm that it was quite cool without the obi pillow. I’ll update you once I try this technique with other types of obis!

In summary, these are some of the simplest ways to enjoy wearing a kimono.