noun
women's obi with different colors on each side
Abbreviation of 腹合わせ帯. A type of obi that is reversible or has contrasting colors on each side.
See also: 腹合わせ帯
母は着物に合わせて腹合わせを締めていた。
My mother wore a reversible obi with her kimono.
Original meaning. Describes two things or people positioned face-to-face or directly opposite each other.
二人は腹合わせに座って話し合った。
The two sat facing each other and talked.
noun
informing each other; coming to terms
Archaic use. Refers to mutual understanding or reaching an agreement through open communication.
古い文書には、両者が腹合わせの上で決めたと記されている。
An old document records that the two parties decided after coming to terms with each other.
Full term for the obi; 腹合わせ is the common abbreviation.
Compound of 腹 (hara, 'belly') + 合わせ (awase, 'joining'). Originally referred to two things placed belly-to-belly, i.e., facing each other. The obi sense derives from the idea of two sides meeting.