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Hokkaido, Japan ca. late nineteenth century cotton and velvet trim on collar 52" x 48", 132 cm x 122 cm |
Detail: Close-up A beautifully embroidered and appliquéd cotton robe, called ci-karkar-pe. The home spun, hand loomed cotton coming to the Ainu from the Japanese island of Honshu, probably via trade. These elaborate costumes, whose complex decoration encircles all the openings of the garments are meant to provide protection to the wearer. On the collar is a thin strip of cotton velvet which is used as reinforcement and to provide longevity, however as this cloth was new to Japan it was no doubt used judiciously and with some form of ostentation. Detail: Front |
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