noun
Refers to the richly figured woven fabric, often with gold or silver threads, traditionally used for obi, Noh costumes, and decorative items.
この帯は金糸を使った錦で織られている。
This obi is woven from brocade using gold thread.
noun
fine clothes; splendid attire
Figurative extension from the fabric; used for beautiful, luxurious clothing, often in literary or poetic contexts.
Return home in glory (lit. adorned in brocade).
The kanji 錦 combines 金 (gold/metal) and 帛 (silk), reflecting the use of metallic threads in silk brocade. The reading にしき is of native Japanese origin, with uncertain derivation.