OBI is just one long, thin piece of cloth, but it can be coordinated in many ways
depending on how it is tied.
Now we’ll introduce ‘BUNKO Musubi’, the Bunko knot, which is tied
with a Hanhaba Obi (a half-width Obi).
About BUNKO Musubi
The name is said to come from ‘Tebunko’, a box used to store books and letters
from the Heian period to the beginning of the Showa period. ‘Tebunko’ was used
with a lid closed and tied with a string. It is said that it was named ‘Bunko Musubi’
because the way it is tied is similar.
This is one of the basic Obi knots and is often used with Yukata.
What to Prepare
Hanhaba Obi (a half-width Obi)
How to Tie
1.Take 3 times the width of the Obi from the end and place it in the center of the body.
Wrap the Obi around the body twice.
2. Fold the ‘Te’ (end of the Obi; short end) in half and tie it with the ‘Te’ on top.
3. Fold the ‘Tare’ (tail of the Obi) inward to create a wing the length of the width of the body.
4. Place the folded wing on the tied Obi and create a pleat in the middle.
5. Lower the ‘Te’ and tie it and the ‘Tare’.
6. Put the ‘Te’ inside the Obi, fold the remaining ‘Te’ and place it inside the Obi.
7. Shape the wings and voila!
In the End
When tying the ‘Bunko Musibi’, if you stretch the wings taut, it’ll create a dignified straight line,
and if you let the wings hang down, it’ll have a cute look.
You can arrange it in many other ways, so learn the basic knot and have fun!
At Japanese Dance School MIYA, we also offer the ‘Kimono Course’, where you can learn
how to wear a Kimono, including how to tie an Obi.
If you are interested, please contact us HERE.
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