White-ground Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso) with paired cranes pattern, mid 19th century
Unknown Ryukyuanexpand_more
Cloth: cotton; bingata (stencil resist with applied pigments)expand_more
Gift of Thomas Murray in honor of his wife Kristal Haleexpand_more 2019.91.34
Not on Viewexpand_more
A noblewoman likely wore this robe. Made of cotton, a costly imported fabric, it is identifiable as a ryūso (Ryūkyūan robe) by the gussets (triangular pieces of material) under the attached sleeves, the short sleeve length, and the long lapels. This garment would have been worn in the colder winter months, when temperatures dipped to the mid-50s Fahrenheit.
The complex pattern of swirling water, cranes, plum blossoms, and other plants was achieved through bingata, the repeated use of a stencil through which a resist paste was applied. The paste blocked the dye from entering the fabric, and these undyed areas were later colored in by hand.
Details
- Title
- White-ground Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso) with paired cranes pattern
- Role
- Maker
- Accession Number
- 2019.91.34
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murray et al. 2018, pl. 148, book cover
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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