This photo, taken in Tokyo in May 1934, shows a young woman wearing an obi (the beautifully decorated sash used to tie the kimono) with a design that must have been quite modern at the time.
One more woman is wearing a kimono, while the two other women are wearing western style clothes, one of them a middy suit and a hat.
Middy suits originated in Great Britain in the second half of the 19th century. Based on naval suits, they became extremely popular with children during the 1880s. Until then, children had been dressed in very complicated adult clothing, so they loved the freedom of movement they had in the new suits.
Later, young women took to the middy suit as well, and the suits were eventually seen all over the world, including Japan.
This glass slide is one of a series of slides of Japan that was used by the New York State Education Department to teach students about Japan.
Published
Updated
Reference for Citations
Duits, Kjeld (). Tokyo 1934: Modern Obi, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on June 26, 2022 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/433/modern-obi
I have a small favor to ask
Old Photos of Japan aims to be your personal museum for Japan's visual heritage to increase our understanding of Japanese culture and society.
Finding, acquiring, scanning, restoring, researching and conserving these vintage images, and making the imagery and research freely available online, takes serious time, money and effort.
I do this without charging for access, selling user data, or running ads.
Your support helps to make this possible, and ensures that this important visual heritage of Japan will not be lost and forgotten.
If you can, please consider supporting Old Photos of Japan with a regular amount each month. Or become a volunteer.
Thank you,
Kjeld Duits
Jinpachi
so beautiful!!!!!
the white Obi looks like cotton…?
I want to have same Kimono and Obi !!
light blue and green check patern… soooo cute!
thank you for upload !
#000284 ·
Kjeld Duits (Author)
Thanks!
#000285 ·