1999 Volume 42 Issue 3 Pages 231-237
The Costumes in this research are not clothes over hangers but those worn by dancers or performers on special occasions and for particular purposes. I am sure that costumes are significant for ritual dancing and dramas. In this sense, costumes can be regarded as part of expression of human hearts and feelings. And human beings by nature seek for beauty depicted in bright color and artistic design. The beauty of Ryukyuan costumes worn by traditional dancers is represented by color and design.
In the present study, I would like to examine the relationship between Ryukyuan dances and designated costumes of‘Bingata’and other colorful designs and patterns.
Ryukyuan dances are classified into two types : classical and popular dances. I will take up a classical dance, ‘Shudun’and a popular dance, ‘Hanafu’. Also, I will investigate the traditional combination of costumes and colors : for instance, Why is ‘Nagasahaji’of a violet color ? and Why is a red camellia put in the forelock of a dancer?
