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.
