Have you ever thought about the width of your half-width obi?
Hello, this is Yukiwa❄️.
When choosing a hanhaba obi, do you also check the width?
Suddenly, a question for you!
When buying a hanhaba (half-width) obi, do you check not only the color and pattern, but also the width?
Hanhaba obi are recommended not only for yukata but also for the upcoming outing season!
In fact, these obi, which you'll find yourself using more and more, come in a variety of widths!
What is a hanhaba obi?
A hanhaba obi is, as the name suggests, a sash with a narrower width compared to standard fukuro obi. They are easy to pair with casual kimonos like komon and tsumugi, as well as yukata, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of obi knots.
Beyond just the width, they also come in various lengths and materials.
Learn more about hanhaba obi length, size, and material
About how wide is a hanhaba obi?
Since a fukuro obi is about 30cm wide, it is common to see hanhaba obi that are about half that width, or around 15cm.
However, in our shop, we carry a variety of widths, from 14cm wide Hakata-ori to 17cm wide thin and soft yukata obi and tsukuri-obi (pre-tied obi).
That difference is only about 3cm, but it actually makes a surprisingly big difference when you put it on!
The guideline for choosing obi width: "Height ÷ 10"
Actually, obi boards (obi-ita) also come in different widths.
So, what should you base your choice of hanhaba obi width on?
One helpful guideline is to think in terms of "Height ÷ 10".
For example, if you are about 160cm tall, 160 ÷ 10 = 16cm. You can use an obi around 16cm wide as a reference point for balancing your overall look.
However, this is just a guideline. The balance changes depending on your body shape, the material of the obi, how you dress, and your preferred aesthetic, so you don't necessarily have to stick to this exact width.
That said, it’s not always the case that the pattern you fall in love with comes in the perfect width for your height.
When that happens, you can adjust it through your dressing technique!
How to handle an obi that is too narrow or too wide
When the obi width is narrow
If you feel the obi width is too narrow for your height, we recommend shifting the obi slightly when tying it.
By slightly offsetting the first and second wraps around your waist, you can make the width appear wider.
If your obi board is wide, this method can also be used to adjust how the obi looks.
When the obi width is wide
For example, when I (who am in my early 150cm range) wear a 17cm wide obi, it can sometimes look a bit stretched out around my midsection.
In such cases, there are ways to balance your overall look through how you tie it or use accessories.
- Slightly twist the obi at the part that wraps around your stomach.
- Fold the top or bottom edge slightly to balance the proportions.
- Layer a lace heko-obi over the top.
- Add an obi-dome to draw the eye and create a focal point.
Just a little bit of creativity can really change your overall impression.
Summary of points for choosing a hanhaba obi
It’s easy to focus solely on color, pattern, and length when choosing a hanhaba obi, but please try paying attention to the "width" next time❄︎
Many hanhaba obi are around 15cm wide, and "Height ÷ 10" is a useful guideline for considering the width.
However, don't get too caught up in the numbers—try choosing based on your body type, personal preferences, coordination, and the balance of your overall ensemble once you've put it on.
Check out our shop's recommended hanhaba obi here
If you choose a reversible hanhaba obi, you can enjoy even more looks depending on how you tie it!
View the list of pre-owned/recycled hanhaba obi
Check out our shop's recommended obi-dome here
Also recommended for you
▶ About hanhaba obi length, size, and material
▶ Basics of obi knots and hanhaba obi styling tips
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