It is said that obidome was invented by geisha in iromachi (a district where geisha is operating) who happened to pass a metal piece called 'tsuba' (a round or squarish guard at the end of the grip of a Japanese sword) of their customers or lovers through 'obihimo' (a string tied around the waist) in the latter part of the Edo period.
江戸時代後期に色街（いろまち）の芸者がお客や恋人の脇差の金具（鍔＝つば）を帯紐に通したのがその始まりとされている。