Ever taken off your kimono after a trip, only to find the tassel on your obijime (a cord tied over the obi) tangled into a sad little knot? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Jostled around inside a bag, the tassel can end up frazzled before you even notice. Today we’re answering the question, “Do I actually need an obijime tassel cover?” — looking at both the moments when it helps and the moments when you can skip it.
What a Tassel Cover Does — Why Are Tassels So Easily Damaged?
The tassel at the end of an obijime looks soft and charming, but it’s actually a very delicate part of the cord. It’s easily affected by friction, humidity, and UV light, and if left unprotected, the fibers can unravel, tangle, or discolor over time. Obijime woven with gold or silver thread need even more care, since friction can cause those threads to fray or snap.
A tassel cover protects this delicate part from outside damage and helps it stay beautiful for longer. In short, we’d recommend using a tassel cover whenever the tassel is left exposed during travel or storage. Put another way, the cover itself won’t cause any deformation — the real risk comes from leaving the tassel completely unprotected.
If you’d like to learn more about how tassels are made and how to fix them once they’ve frayed, this article may help as well. → Why Do Obijime Tassels Fray or Spread Out? Fixes and Prevention Tips
Using a Cover While Traveling
A tassel cover really proves its worth while you’re on the move. When you go out in kimono, you might carry your obijime already tied, or you might take it off and tuck it into your bag while changing. Either way, if the tassel is left exposed, it can rub against other items or snag on something — and before you know it, it’s frizzy and tangled.
Some tassel covers are even marketed as “handy for travel,” with preventing tangles as their clear purpose. Whenever your obijime is going to be jostled around in a bag — during travel, while changing outfits away from home, or on the way to a kitsuke (dressing in kimono) lesson — it’s reassuring to have a tassel cover on.
One thing to watch for: with obijime that have naturally thinner tassels, some people find the cover can slip off a little more easily when the cord moves around. It’s worth taking a quick glance before you head out to make sure the cover is properly in place.
Using a Cover for Storage
Tassel covers aren’t just for travel — they’re handy at home, too. Right after you take off your kimono and it’s time to put things away, slipping a tassel cover on means the obijime will come out looking just as neat the next time you reach for it. A lot of people mention that tassel covers have a habit of going missing, so keeping them together in a kimono accessory case can save you the hassle of hunting for them later.
Putting one on is simple: wrap the cover around the cord section, then slide it smoothly down toward the tip of the tassel. Gently twirling the tassel between your fingers as you slide the cover on helps it settle into a neat, tidy shape.
It’s worth remembering that a tassel cover and an “obijime cover” are two different things. A tassel cover is the short type that covers only the tip of the tassel, while an obijime cover is the longer type that covers the entire cord. The tassel cover keeps the tassel straight and untangled, while the obijime cover corrects twisting along the whole cord and prevents it from tangling with others. If you’re storing a number of obijime together, using both types can make a real difference in keeping your storage case tidy.
If you’d like to revisit the basics of choosing an obijime, take a look here as well. → A Guide to Choosing Obijime and Obiage: The Basics of Formality and Color Matching
What to Do Without a Tassel Cover
If you’ve run out of tassel covers or simply don’t have one on hand, one handy trick that’s been suggested is using a sticky note instead. Simply gather the tassel loosely and wrap a sticky note around it to hold it in place — though there’s one thing to watch out for. If the adhesive is on the weaker side, it may peel off while you’re out and about, so it’s safer to choose a strong-adhesive type if you’re going to improvise this way. For furisode (a long-sleeved formal kimono) obijime, there are examples of people using a larger sticky note to match the bigger tassel size, so choosing a size that fits your tassel tends to work well.
That said, this is really just an emergency fix for when you don’t have a cover on hand. For everyday use, it’s more convenient — and gentler on the tassel — to keep a few proper tassel covers around, since they’re quicker to put on and take off and less likely to cause any deformation.
What to Look for When Choosing One
Tassel covers are often sold in sets of several, typically priced from a few hundred yen up to around 1,500 yen per set, with most made of polypropylene (PP) or resin and measuring around 6 centimeters long. The material itself is sturdy and reusable, but it can warp if left somewhere hot, so avoid leaving covers in a car or on a shelf in direct sunlight. If you own a lot of obijime, a set with ten or more covers might suit you best; if you just want one or two to carry when you go out, a compact set makes more sense. Choosing based on quantity can make the decision easier.
In Summary
An obijime tassel cover is a reliable little accessory — useful both for preventing tangles while traveling and for keeping things looking neat in storage. Think of it this way: use one whenever the tassel will be exposed inside a bag, or when it’s going into storage for a while; but if you’re simply wearing the obijime for the day without putting it through rough handling, you don’t necessarily need to force one on. If you don’t have a cover handy, a strong-adhesive sticky note can serve as a stand-in. And since obijime with gold or silver thread are especially prone to friction damage, taking that extra little step on travel days will help keep your favorite obijime looking beautiful for years to come.