Attush robe with dark-blue stripes c. 19th century

This striking Attush robe with dark-blue stripes was made by an anonymous Ainu artist. The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan and Russia. Looking at this robe, we can see meaning created through both visual codes and cultural references. The Ainu people, living in close connection to nature, express their cultural identity through the use of natural materials, such as elm bark from which the robe is made, and through the geometric designs that are so distinctive to Ainu art. The dark-blue dye could have been sourced through trade with other communities. The robe’s pattern may have held symbolic importance or denoted status within the Ainu community. Understanding an artwork like this requires looking into the historical context and cultural practices of the Ainu people. Ethnographic studies, historical records, and analyses of Ainu material culture can all provide valuable insights. Art becomes more meaningful when seen as a product of specific social conditions.