帯

• Reading: おび
• Romaji: obi
• Kanji breakdown: 帯 (tai/obi) — belt, sash, band
• Pronunciation: /o.bi/

Meaning

Belt; sash; band. A wide cloth sash worn around the waist with traditional Japanese clothing.

A noun primarily referring to the sash worn with kimono and yukata. Different types exist: 丸帯 (marubi, formal), 名古屋帯 (Nagoya obi, semi-formal), and 半幅帯 (hanhaba obi, casual). Also used for bands or strips in general, such as 帯グラフ (obi gurafu, band graph) or the paper band around a book (帯, obi).

Examples

1. 浴衣に合う帯を選ぶのが楽しい。 It's fun to pick out a sash to go with a yukata.
2. 祖母が帯の結び方を教えてくれた。 My grandmother taught me how to tie an obi.
3. この本の帯に有名な作家の推薦文が書いてある。 There's a recommendation blurb from a famous author on this book's obi band.

Usage Guide

Context: kimono, traditional culture, fashion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 帯 depicts a cloth (巾) wrapped around the body, with the upper part representing something attached or hanging. Used since ancient times for sashes and bands.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal