Which broad sash is tied around a kimono?

The broad sash tied around a kimono is called an obi.

An obi wraps around the waist and helps secure the kimono while also providing much of the outfit’s visual character. It may be folded, layered, embroidered, or woven from richly patterned silk. Its width and tying style vary according to the wearer’s age, marital status, occasion, and kimono type.

Obi styles became especially elaborate during Japan’s Edo period, when fashion increasingly emphasized decorative back knots and luxurious textiles. A formal obi can be considerably wider and more structured than the narrow belts used with casual yukata.

A common mix-up is confusing the obi with geta, which are wooden sandals, or haori, a short coat worn over a kimono. Hakama are pleated trousers or skirt-like garments, not sashes. The knot is often positioned at the back, although historical and ceremonial styles can differ.