Light brown-ground Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso) with ikat (kasuri) stripes by Anonymous

Light brown-ground Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso) with ikat (kasuri) stripes c. early 20th century

weaving, textile

fashion design

pattern-and-decoration

fashion mockup

asian-art

weaving

textile

clothing promotion photography

fashion and textile design

japan

fabric design

line

clothing photo

textile design

imprinted textile

layered pattern

clothing design

This anonymous Ryukyuan robe, also known as a *ryūso*, is a fine example of traditional Japanese textile techniques. It dates to the early 20th century and is crafted from *ikat* fabric, showcasing a distinctive striped pattern achieved by resist dyeing. The robe is characterized by its light brown ground and a complex interplay of black and white stripes. The *ikat* technique, originating from the Ryukyu Islands, involves tying off sections of yarn before dyeing, creating intricate patterns that are both visually appealing and historically significant. The garment, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, stands as a testament to the enduring artistry and craftsmanship of the Ryukyu Islands.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This robe is typical of Okinawan-style garments, which lack the long, detached sleeves of mainland Japanese kimonos. When Japan annexed the Ryūkyū Kingdom in 1879, renaming it Okinawa Prefecture, it required Okinawans to learn Japanese and dress in the Japanese manner. Still, garments like this continued to be made and worn. The light and dark brown sections are made of Japanese fiber banana (bashō), but the vertical stripes dyed white and black are cotton. This unlined garment would typically have been worn in summer; however, the integration of cotton into the fabric suggests fall.