Purple-ground Ryūkyūan robe (ryūso) with dot pattern c. 19th century

This ryūso, a Ryūkyūan robe with a purple ground and dot pattern, was likely made by an anonymous artist. This garment offers a glimpse into the historical and cultural context of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, now Okinawa, and its complex relationship with Japan and China. The ryūso was traditionally worn by Ryūkyūan men of the ruling class. The color, design, and materials used were often indicators of social status and hierarchy. The dot patterns, while seemingly simple, carry symbolic weight, possibly representing stars or water, connecting the wearer to cosmological or natural forces. What does it mean to consider an anonymous artist whose cultural identity is so specific? The intimate act of creation, stitch by stitch, speaks to a personal history intertwined with a collective identity. As we observe this robe, we're invited to contemplate the legacies of cultural exchange, adaptation, and resilience.