Whether in movies or theater plays, excellent supporting actors are always the wind beneath the principals' wings. Likewise, there are accessories in KIMONO fashion, which give enormous effect on the look.
Among those accessories, my favorite item is OBIDOME (small brooches worn over OBI belt along with OBIJIME string, making a charming decoration on the front of the OBI). I know I might get scolded by OBIDOME lovers out there, who would say "OBIDOME is not only an accessory but a principal of KIMONO fashion".
Nowadays, many kinds of handcraft kit for making OBIDOMEs using broaches and buttons are available. However, you don't need to purchase these kit to have your original one. In fact, anything can be an OBIDOME as long as it has holes for OBIJIME string to get through.
As for the OJIBIME string, usually, narrow ones with the width of 6-9 mm are used, whereas MAIKOs use broad ones (3.7cm) and big OBIDOMEs called "POCCHIRI", which are both not available in the general market.
The material of OBIDOMEs varies ranging from precious stones, tortoiseshells, gold, silver, cloisonne wares, wood carvings, potteries and glass wares. Some people are truly enthusiastic to make their own collections.
As for the dress code, it is preferable to avoid wearing OBIDOMEs at tea ceremonies or along with black crested KIMONOs, however, there are many prewar pictures of ladies wearing OBIDOMEs on black TOMESODEs (formal KIMONOs for married women). In that sense, we can imagine it was not a total taboo, but still, the answer is controversial.
Click here to see a Bolg by a Former MAIKO, "Do You Know?".
