Description

Japanese Knot Ooki Zen prototype

The Japanese Knot Ooki Zen prototype (100% cotton) was offered for sale on Facebook. It was posted on 5 July 2011, together with the Starry Night Amity prototype. One 2nd quality (2 weaving flaws) ring sling (pleated) was offered at a price of £50:
“Japanese Knot ‘Zen’ 100% cotton Ring Sling (pleated shoulder, 2 weaving flaws) £50”

From a comment on 21 July 2011: “The picture is actually of the 100% cotton tester that had blue rings.”

It seems at least a size 4 and a size 6 have been made of this prototype too, but at least the size 6 has sold off Facebook/the website.

Japanese Knot Ooki Zen prototype was sent traveling to various testers in order to get user feedback about the jacquard woven wraps. Together with the original  (thick) Nouveau Ecru prototype and, I think, an Irish linen grad dyed wrap (or maybe more than one) it must have been a great package.

In 2012 a ‘high numbers’ release was done of another batch of 100% cotton Japanese Knot Ooki Zen – most of the JKO Zen wraps you’ll see are from that batch, obviously. This is also called JKZO or JKOZ for short.

Prototype

Solo lines of colourways and patterns. These are not linked to a Collection, being exclusive, stand-alone editions.
In this case, this being a prototype, it wasn’t planned as part of a Collection.

Japanese Knot Ookii

‘Ooki’ means ‘big’ in Japanese. The Japanese Knot design comes in two variations, Ookii and Chiisai (chiisai predictably meaning ‘small’).
Because the word ‘ooki’ is used as an adjective you will commonly see it written as ‘ookii’ or ‘ooki na’. Before 2016 Ookii was actually spelled Ooki in wrap names. As explained above, the correct way to write it is Ookii and this has been changed on Oscha’s website and FB page since 2016. Because many people know these wraps by their ‘old’ names, I have left those that have been originally released with the name ‘Ooki’ uncorrected.

Japanese Knot, Nouveau, Starry Night, Strato and Roses were the first jacquard woven patterns released in 2011.

Zen

A truly peaceful, calm colourway in ecru and black, Zen is and has been a very popular colourway since the beginning. A ‘jeans wrap’ to be combined with almost anything you’re wearing, you can’t go wrong with an Oscha Zen wrap.

Zen originated in China and developed as a distinguished Chinese style of Buddhism. Zen emphasizes rigorous meditation-practice and insight into Buddha-nature. It also emphasizes the personal expression of this insight in daily life, especially for the benefit of others. As such, it de-emphasizes mere knowledge of sutras and doctrine and favors direct understanding through zazen and interaction with an accomplished teacher. Source: Wikipedia.