− | Textiles are traditionally dyed or decorated in a variety of ways as well. ''[[Bingata]]'', a form of resist dyeing in which a paste-like material is used with a stencil to control which areas would be dyed, is perhaps the most famous, and involves boldly colorful patterns, often against a boldly yellow or pink ground; ''bingata'' is strongly associated with the aristocracy. Meanwhile, Ryûkyû is also known for its ''hana-ui'' brocades, ''ro'' gauze weaving, and ''[[kasuri]]'' or ikat, a form of resist-dyeing in which the threads are dyed first, before being woven into the garment, creating geometric and other patterns in a two-tone (e.g. indigo and undyed white) palette. | + | Textiles are traditionally dyed or decorated in a variety of ways as well. ''[[Bingata]]'' (also known as ''katachiki''), a form of resist dyeing in which a paste-like material is used with a stencil to control which areas would be dyed, is perhaps the most famous, and involves boldly colorful patterns, often against a boldly yellow or pink ground; ''bingata'' is strongly associated with the aristocracy. Meanwhile, Ryûkyû is also known for its ''hana-ui'' brocades, ''ro'' gauze weaving, and ''[[kasuri]]'' or ikat, a form of resist-dyeing in which the threads are dyed first, before being woven into the garment, creating geometric and other patterns in a two-tone (e.g. indigo and undyed white) palette. |
| + | As in China, yellow was considered an aristocratic or royal color, and the wearing of yellow garments was limited to those of elite status; not only ''bingata'' but also other royal & aristocratic garments were often dyed yellow head to toe, using minerals such as orpiment (J: ''sekiô'')<ref>An arsenic sulfide mineral known in Japanese as ''sekiô'' 石黄, lit. "stone yellow."</ref> or plant materials such as [[turmeric]] or ''huáng bò''.<ref>黄檗. The bark of the Amur cork tree (''Phellodendron amurense'' or ''Phellodendron chinense'').</ref><ref>「ロイヤルカラーの黄色地衣裳」, gallery labels, Naha City Museum of History.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/49599011943/sizes/l/]</ref> |
| Another particular type of silk cloth associated with Ryûkyû is known as ''tabby'' (二彩 or タビー, ''tabii''). Originally a famous product of China's [[Guangdong province]], it was among the chief types of textiles transshipped through or exported by Ryûkyû.<ref>Kamiya Nobuyuki, ''Ryûkyû to Nihon, Chûgoku'' 琉球と日本・中国, Yamakawa Shuppansha (2008), 60.</ref> | | Another particular type of silk cloth associated with Ryûkyû is known as ''tabby'' (二彩 or タビー, ''tabii''). Originally a famous product of China's [[Guangdong province]], it was among the chief types of textiles transshipped through or exported by Ryûkyû.<ref>Kamiya Nobuyuki, ''Ryûkyû to Nihon, Chûgoku'' 琉球と日本・中国, Yamakawa Shuppansha (2008), 60.</ref> |