Green Gold Bamboo and Flowers Fukuro Corset

This Corset is a unique piece made from a vintage Obi coming from the ancient Japanese capital of Nara, from the Showa Era. 

An Obi is a sash or a belt used to hold in place a kimono, a Japanese traditional dress.

The motif consists of groups of Peonies and Chrysanthemum embroidered on a dense gold circular shape, called Hana-no-maru – circle of flowers.  

In the background, steady and tall bamboo are in the shade of Light Green becoming Yellow and then Gold. Interestingly, the metal Gold shades into green when mixed with Silver, creating a Green Gold alloy. 

Those colours represent the different stages of a bamboo’s life. 

The forests that surround Nara are filled with bamboo. One of the most impressive things about bamboo is how they sway with even the slightest breeze. 

This gentle swaying movement with the wind is considered a symbol of Humility in Japan. Their tough and deeply rooted bodies make them resistant to the wind or the snow, and this symbolises the spirit to Resist to the adversity. The colourful Peonies represent Prosperity, Good Luck and Honour, while the Chrysanthemum, as the Imperial Family Emblem, symbolises Royalty.