How to Tie a Butterfly Obi for a Kimono
- 1). Fold about 25 to 30 inches of the obi in half along its length. Place the folded portion of the obi over your left shoulder from front to back, with the crease facing out.
- 2). Wrap the unfolded portion of the obi twice around your waist. At the end of the final wrap, cinch the wraps tight around your waist.
- 3). Gather the long portion of the obi at your waist. Drop the folded section of the obi down off your shoulder and over the gather, then upward behind the gather. Pull the resulting knot tight and place the folded part of the obi back over your shoulder.
- 4). Fold the remainder of the unfolded section of the obi in thirds, concealing the end of the obi in the folds. Place this section of the obi at your waist. Gather the section in the middle into a bow shape at the top of the obi around your waist.
- 5). Drop the folded portion of the obi from your shoulder and over the center of the bow-shaped section of the obi at your waist.
- 6). Pass the end of the folded section of the obi up through the upper part of the obi that is around your waist. Drop the folded section over the center of the bow again.
- 7). Pass the end of the folded section up behind the bow-shaped section. Drop the folded section one more time over the center of the bow.
- 8). Tuck the end of the folded section of the obi behind the bottom part of the obi that is around your waist to conceal the end of the obi. Smooth and shape the bow and obi around your waist.
- 9). Grasp the top of the obi above your waist. Slide the obi around, so the bow is centered in the middle of your back.
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