#heko obi

[tanuki-kimono]

Summery modern obi by Mimizukuya with straw front and heko-like soft ties

[prince-rosalium]

you know those posts that are like "i love it when i see a dead eyed, miserable woman gain a soul and turn into the hottest man i've ever seen"

yeah. anyway i made this

[mischief-maker-me]

Trying something new to finish the ends of some of the bjd heko obi (soft kimono sashes) I've been working on. These will likely be sold individually at @resinrosebjdexpo , rather than incorporated into a set... unless a kimono comes together that REALLY needs it!

[tanuki-kimono]

I just found your blog and I am absolutely enamored by all these designs! I did have a quick question though

I'd love to one day visit Japan, and I love the idea of attending a festival in a rented yukata. However, I'm concerned about if I could wear one or not due to the sleeves. I'm disabled and get around using forearm crutches, and have difficulty fitting larger sleeves in them.

I guess I was just curious about if either the sleeves could easily be pulled back to my elbows, or if maybe there are yukata with shorter sleeves (I've never seen them myself at least.)

Hi! I am so happy you fell in love with kimono fashion <3

As for your question, there is a fantastic way to accomodate your crutches: tasuki 襷 sleeves holders. Those are cord used for holding up sleeves out of the way (when doing chores, physical/messy activity, etc).

You can see below how tasuki are tied: basically think of an ∞ with the crossing on your back and the loop up front gathering up sleeves on your sides:

Depending on your mobility, you can pre-knot the cord beforehand then slip it around your body.

The "right" way of doing it is this one:

Though to be honest, most people do like this and call it a day xD:

暑いので浴衣着て襷掛けしてみた

I am not sure how your mobility is so I'll also add other options to mix and match in order to nicely enjoy summer festivals in kimono attire:

Happi 法被 (festival coat): if you don't feel confortable strolling all day/night in yukata (the tighness of around your legs might be cumbersome), wearing a coat like those over your "normal" clothes is a good option to still be in festival mood :) Some are sleeveless, some have tube sleeves, and if not pair them with tasuki sleeves holder and you'll be good to go!

(pic below from)

Nibushiki kimono 二部式着物 / nibushiki yukata 二部式浴衣 (two parts kimono/yukata): exactly what it says on the lid, those are kimono/yukata tailored in two parts, a skirt and a top one. Those might be harder to find in rentals, but have the convenience of being super easy to put on while being less prone to unraveling :) The two parts are also gentler on the figure as you can more easily adapt tighness etc. If you're are able to shop for a yukata beforehand, altering is pretty easy: chop in two, add ties and you're ready to get dressed ;)

Tsuke obi 作り帯 (two parts belt): in the same spirit as above, those are pre-tied obi belt, with a wrap-around part and a knot part. They are super common for children, but also exist for adult. Altering a pre owned obi is also super easy, see for example this past note (for nagoya obi styled taiko knot).

Yukata can be worn with hanhaba obi (half width belt), heko obi (soft belt), or kaku obi ("men" belt). Heko obi would be my recommendation as those are unisex, comfortable, and suuuuper easy to tie.

If you want to try hanhaba or kaku, I'd advise for karuta musubi, a flat, sturdy, and unisex knot pretty easy to tie.

Hope your travel project will come true and that you'll have fun :D

[tanuki-kimono]

Soothing blues for this lovely yukata patterned with suzu (bells) and paired with a fluffy heko obi.

At first, I thought the bells were fuurin (windchimes) - a perfect motif for summer as windchimes ringing is such a “refreshing” sound. I guess suzu bell chime is ok too :P

[tanuki-kimono]

Golfish themed modern obi styling, using especially the beautifully Irodori heko (seen in this past note) over a matching hanhaba obi.

[tanuki-kimono]

Soft fusion outfit mixing sage kimono and heko obi, paired with a peacock feathers patterned lace sari in matching colors. The brooch pinned on shoulder usually decorates groom turban if I understand OP right.

[tanuki-kimono]

Hawaiian themed yukata, with beautiful hibiscus, and flowing lei made from plumeria/frangipani and pikake (Arabian jasmin).

The soft obi is called an heko obi, the obijime here is purely decorative and adds balance to the outfit by bringing out the white of flowers.