Ikebana International in western North Carolina will present a demonstration on “The Art of Obis” on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Folk Art Center located at 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville. This cultural program presents a history of obis, their use as a sash for kimono as well as decorative home accents. Laura Felt will demonstrate how to tie them as fans, flowers and bows to grace your table. Emiko Suzuki, assisted by Laura and Beverly Barbour, will show how to tie an obi in a variety of forms to wear with kimono.

Men and women wore obis as early as the beginning of the 17th century. Today, they are a fashion statement and certain types, colors and fabrics are used for different occasions depending on the formality of the event and even the married status of the wearer.

The Asheville Chapter of Ikebana International presents a program on ikebana flower design and/or Japanese culture on the fourth Tuesday of every month, February through October. For more information, contact Patti Quinn Hill, Chapter President, 828-645-6633; pattiquinnhill@gmail.com  or www.ikebanaasheville.org

– article submitted by Louise Glickman