a type of belt/sash that was worn by the ''

samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the '' daimyo'' (the great feudal landholders). They ...

'' class and their retainers in feudal Japan. The uwa-obi was used to attach the ''sageo'' (saya cord) of the sword or swords worn by a samurai in order to secure it, other weapons and equipment would be tied to the uwa-obi as well. The uwa-obi was made from linen and cloth made of cotton, it would be wound two to three times around the body when worn. When the uwa-obi was worn with the attire or armour of the samurai, it would first be folded in two, then twisted and then a piece of leather was placed within the centre. This method was used to find the middle of the uwa-obi in a dark area. When putting on the uwa-obi, it was worn with the center in the front of the

Dou (dō) DOU or Dou may refer to: * Dou (surname) (窦/竇), a Chinese surname ** Empress Dou (disambiguation), Chinese empresses surnamed Dou * Degree of unsaturation, in chemistry * Dhammakaya Open University, near Bangkok, Thailand * Gerrit Dou (1613� ...

(chest armour), then the two ends would be wound around the waist area and back to the front, the uwa-obi would be tied in front rather firmly with the hanamusubi knot.

References

* ''The Samurai Sourcebook''

External links

Japanese sashes Samurai clothing {{samurai-stub