Brown-ground lined Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso), late 19th-early 20th century
Unknown Ryukyuanexpand_more
Cloth: Japanese fiber banana (bashō) and cotton; striping, tate-gasuri (warp ikat)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 2019.20.185
On View in Gallery 222expand_more
This robe is an example of uchinaasugai, the traditional formal attire of the Ryūkyū Kingdom (present-day Okinawa). Because of the kingdom’s trade relations with China and Japan, Ryūkyū garments share similarities with the Japanese kimono and Chinese hanfu, such as the crossed neckline and tubular sleeves. Banana plants grow abundantly in the tropical climate of Okinawa, and the fibers from their stems were used to create light and airy garments suitable for hot and humid summers. This garment was reinforced with cotton on the shoulders, upper back, and hem, a sign that it was well-worn.
Details
- Title
- Brown-ground lined Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso)
- Role
- Maker
- Accession Number
- 2019.20.185
- Provenance
- Private Japanese Collection
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murray et al. 2018, pl. 135
- 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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