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**R A Sosnowski** · 5th April 2004, 10:42 AM

my observations

Originally posted by Karaken

Hello all, I have a question on Obi if you don't mind ( Thread somewhere? )

- Is there a width difference? 4" and 2.5" are what I found. Pros and Cons?

Yes, the amount of support for the Iaito or Shinken. I have a longer (2.75) and heavier blade than normal, so I use a 4" rather than a 3.5" wide Obi.

- What about length? How do I know which one to buy? ( 137"-144" )

Long enough to wrap three times and then tie a knot. With a 42" waist, I use a 144" long Obi.

- Are they all not padded at the end?

No big deal. The ends are tied, and the excess tucked into the Obi.

- I found Obi at Bujin, Budogu and E-bogu. Any experience and/or comparison out there?

I personally have used Bujin exclusively. Works for me. YMMV.

- Any advantage/difference between cotton and wool Obi?

None that I know of, but I prefer cotton because I like the feel.

- Is Obi mandatory fro IAI?

Absolutely. Just ask anyone who has tried to just use the Himo of the Hakama - there is no real support.

HTH.

**Bleda** · 5th April 2004, 11:19 AM

You can also search for kaku obi (there is a guy who sells em on ebay <yes i realize i buy alot of stuff on ebay lol>) and they are the same ones as found on sites such as http://www.japanesesword.net/eng/misc/msg5.html and bogu bag. they are 150" long and 3.5 inch wide and i personally love mine (so much i have 3 different ones). Also, while its technically not necessary it makes such a huge difference having one as compared to not that you might aswell get one (did that sentance even make sense?).

**Karaken** · 5th April 2004, 11:34 AM

RAS and Bleda - Thank you both..

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