Obidome

[azamiryou]

Obidome ("Oh-bee-doh-meh") are a special kind of brooch sometimes worn with Japanese kimono. It turns out they are a fun little project for silversmithing, much quicker to make than pen parts!

The first one is rather small (32mm x 20mm), about 6g, made of sterling silver with an agate cab.

The second is 65mm x 30mm, 12.1g, and all sterling.

 

[Grizz]

The first one looks like a Star Trek badge. They look neat, don't know if they'd sell in my market.

 

[azamiryou]

It is pretty much a niche market outside of Japan... only a handful of buyers, but even fewer sellers! Time will tell whether that translates into actual sales.

 

[nava1uni]

The first one looks like a Carnelian stone. Very nice work. The design would also make a very nice pendant.

 

[rizaydog]

Looks pretty cool.

 

[el_d]

Pretty nice.

What are they and how are they used?

 

[azamiryou]

What are they and how are they used?

Japanese kimono are worn with a wide belt called an obi, and on top of the obi, there's a decorative thin belt or rope called an obijime. The obijime slides through the loops on the back of the obidome.

Here's a photo showing one being worn: http://www.immortalgeisha.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:Obidome_being_worn.jpg

And another photo: http://berryverry.kimono-tm.shop-pro.jp/images/CIMG1889_edited-1_small.jpg