Okinawan
Fabric from Banana Plant with Double Ikat Pattern
1925-1940
Scroll
Okinawan
Fabric from Banana Plant with Double Ikat Pattern
1925-1940
Physical Qualities
Banana fibers (basho-fu) with indigo resist and mud-dye, 14 × 144 in. (35.6 × 365.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Lawrence T. Knight
Object Number
1954.43
The stiffness of basho-fu (fabric woven from the banana plant) was valued for promoting air circulation. All members of Okinawan society, one of Japan’s Indigenous cultures, wore clothing made from basho-fu. This example would have been used as a woman’s garment. Men’s clothing was undecorated.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1954; Mrs. Lawrence T. Knight.
[Asian Refresh]
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Dusenbury, Mary. "Kasuri: A Japanese Textile." The Textile Museum Journal. Washington, D.C.: The Textile Museum. Vols. 40-41, 2001-2002, pp. 41-64.
Okinawa Island Guide/Pride of Okinawa: bashu-fu. https://www.oki-islandguide.com/ special feaures/pride-of-okinawa-basho-fu, 6/27/2017.
"Northern Okinawa’s special fabric is bashofu." See http://www.japanupdate.com/2014/09/northern-okinawas-special-fabric-is-bashofu/
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Okinawa Island Guide/Pride of Okinawa: bashu-fu. https://www.oki-islandguide.com/ special feaures/pride-of-okinawa-basho-fu, 6/27/2017.
"Northern Okinawa’s special fabric is bashofu." See http://www.japanupdate.com/2014/09/northern-okinawas-special-fabric-is-bashofu/
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