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Not currently on display at the V&A

Robe

1800-1870 (made)
Place of origin
Shuri (made)

This robe was made and worn in Okinawa, the largest of the islands in the Ryûkyûan archipelago that stretches to the south of mainland Japan. Until 1879, when it became part of Japan, the islands were an independent kingdom. Robes such as this were worn only by members of the Ryûkyûan royal family. The striking pattern, of cranes, pine trees, clouds and chrysanthemums, has been created using stencils and bright mineral pigments. This technique is known as ‘bingata’.

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read Kimono Japan has a very rich textile history, with the kimono being a major focus of interest and artistic expression. Meaning 'the thing to wear', the term kimono was first adopted in the mid-19th century. Originally worn by commoners, or as an undergarment by the aristocracy, from the 16th cent...

Object details

Categories
Clothing
Textiles
SCRAN
Object type
Robe
Materials and techniques
Stencil dyed cotton
Cotton (Textile)
Resist Dyed
Stencilling
Brief description
Robe of plain weave cotton, Shuri, 1800-1870
Physical description
Robe of plain weave cotton with stencil dyed decoration (bingata) of pines and cranes.
Dimensions
  • Length: 132cm
  • Width: 128cm
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1962/2747.
Subjects depicted
Cranes
Chrysanthemums
Pine
Summary
This robe was made and worn in Okinawa, the largest of the islands in the Ryûkyûan archipelago that stretches to the south of mainland Japan. Until 1879, when it became part of Japan, the islands were an independent kingdom. Robes such as this were worn only by members of the Ryûkyûan royal family. The striking pattern, of cranes, pine trees, clouds and chrysanthemums, has been created using stencils and bright mineral pigments. This technique is known as ‘bingata’.
Bibliographic references
  • Jackson, Anna. Japanese country textiles. London: V&A Publications, 1997, Plate 27.
  • Jackson, Anna. Japanese textiles. London: V&A Publications, 2000, Plate 78, p. 27.
  • Sekai ni hokoru Ryukyu ocho bunka iho ten: Yoruppa Amerika hizo (Ryukuan art treasures from European and American collections), Okinawa, Urasoe Bijutsukan, 1992
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
T.18-1963

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24606/robe/
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