Changes

The colors and types of materials worn by aristocrats indicated their rank. This was seen especially in the colors of the ''[[hachimaki]]'' (court cap or turban) and court robes, and in the material (gold or silver) used to make hairpins. A summary of the significance of colors in the court costume of male officials is included in the description of [[Ryukyuan court ranks]].

The colors and types of materials worn by aristocrats indicated their rank. This was seen especially in the colors of the ''[[hachimaki]]'' (court cap or turban) and court robes, and in the material (gold or silver) used to make hairpins. A summary of the significance of colors in the court costume of male officials is included in the description of [[Ryukyuan court ranks]].

While the royal and aristocratic classes are today strongly associated with the colorful ''bingata'', traditionally they would have worn ''bingata'' robes only when going out of the palace; in the private areas of the castle, members of the royal family were more likely to wear a simpler outfit of a red ''bujin'' wrap-shirt and white ''kakan'' skirt, throwing a ''bingata'' robe over this when going out.<ref>Okinawan traditional clothing demonstration, East-West Center International Conference in Okinawa, Sept 2014.</ref> ''Bingata'' was not generally worn for major court ceremonies, and further it was typically only worn by adult women and by young people (both male and female); adult men typically only wore ''bingata'' as a costume for dance or theater.<ref>''Bingata! Only in Okinawa'', 91, 112.</ref>

While the royal and aristocratic classes are today strongly associated with the colorful ''bingata'', traditionally they would have worn ''bingata'' robes only when going out of the palace; in the private areas of the castle, members of the royal family were more likely to wear a simpler outfit of a red ''dujin'' wrap-shirt and white ''kakan'' skirt, throwing a ''bingata'' robe over this when going out.<ref>Okinawan traditional clothing demonstration, East-West Center International Conference in Okinawa, Sept 2014.</ref> ''Bingata'' was not generally worn for major court ceremonies, and further it was typically only worn by adult women and by young people (both male and female); adult men typically only wore ''bingata'' as a costume for dance or theater.<ref>''Bingata! Only in Okinawa'', 91, 112.</ref>

By contrast, the typical men's garment worn during official duties was a simple black robe, cinched at the waist. Known as ''kuruchô'' (黒朝, lit. "black court [robes]"), it was often made of extremely fine ''bashôfu'' fibers, woven so finely as to have a texture similar to silk.<ref>''Bingata! Only in Okinawa'', 112.</ref>

By contrast, the typical men's garment worn during official duties was a simple black robe, cinched at the waist. Known as ''kuruchô'' (黒朝, lit. "black court [robes]"), it was often made of extremely fine ''bashôfu'' fibers, woven so finely as to have a texture similar to silk.<ref>''Bingata! Only in Okinawa'', 112.</ref>