Dark blue-ground Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso) with pattern of irises in a flowing stream, 19th century
Unknown Ryukyuanexpand_more
Cloth: cotton; ēgata (stencil resist with indigo)expand_more
The John R. Van Derlip Fund and the Mary Griggs Burke Endowment Fund established by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation; purchase from the Thomas Murray Collectionexpand_more 2019.20.142
Not on Viewexpand_more
This outer robe for a Ryūkyūan woman was decorated using the ēgata paste-resist technique, which is similar to bingata except that only indigo dye is used, thus making it available to commoners. The limitation of a single color may have made it more difficult to make, forcing the dye artist to rely on shading for variation and distinction between the designs. Given the elaborate stencil work of this robe, it could have belonged to a woman of the warrior class. The stencil work features irises, partly submerged baskets, flowing water, and weeping cherry blossoms, creating the impression of a picturesque, meandering river.
Details
- Title
- Dark blue-ground Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso) with pattern of irises in a flowing stream
- Role
- Maker
- Accession Number
- 2019.20.142
- Provenance
- Okamura Kichiemon, Jack Lenor Larsen
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murray et al. 2018, pl. 155
- 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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