Omoto ~Ten thousand years of Green~

One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from an antique, hand-painted yūzen obi. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics.

Size

33 cm diameter x 2 cm

Materials

Antique obi textile, kinpaku (gold leaf), coffee dye on wood

Edition

One-of-a-kind.

Story behind the work

Created from an obi over a century old, this artwork brings the sweeping leaves of omoto into a circular composition. Deep blue foliage unfolds across a softly aged background, illuminated by delicate touches of gold.

I added coffee dye and kinpaku to highlight the textile’s stains. These traces of time guided the composition, becoming visible elements of its renewed life. Warm washes and gold accents bring the original craftsmanship and the fabric’s age into conversation.

Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors

Omoto (万年青) is an evergreen plant traditionally associated with longevity and prosperity - a fitting motif for a textile that has survived for more than a hundred years. Also, the word "omoto" writes with characters "Ten thousand years of Green", which gives the artwork it's name.

The deep blue leaves create a sense of quiet movement. Warm coffee tones soften the background, while gold catches the light along the foliage and in scattered details above it. The composition invites a closer appreciation of both the original obi painted pattern and the painting added by the artist surrounding it.

Characteristics of the fabric

The obi features a hand-painted yūzen design, with subtle tonal changes giving the leaves depth and fluidity. Its surface carries discoloration accumulated over more than a century.

These marks are an intentional part of the finished artwork. Coffee dye emphasizes their irregular contours, while added kinpaku introduces light and texture.

Material period/story

The original obi is over 100 years old. Once worn as part of traditional Japanese dress, it now continues its life as textile art, preserving its painted design and the visible evidence of its age.

About the frame

A circular wooden frame surrounds the textile. Its light finish gives the sweeping leaves a clear boundary while allowing the warm background and gold details to remain the focus.

Collector’s Note

This singular work preserves a specific fragment of antique Japanese textile craftsmanship. The relationship between its original painting, century-old stains, coffee dye, and added gold cannot be repeated or duplicated.

For collectors drawn to material history, the work offers an intimate encounter with a textile whose age remains visible within its contemporary form.

Decoration Advice

Display against a light wall to emphasize the blue foliage, or alongside natural wood and ceramics to complement its warm tones. Its circular form suits a quiet corner, an entrance, or a considered grouping of artworks.

Precaution

The antique textile’s stains, discoloration, and other traces of age are intentionally preserved and highlighted. Avoid direct sunlight and contact with water.