Robe, Japan (Okinawa, Ryūkyū Islands), 19th century. Resist-dyed and painted (bingata) silk crepe, 52.1 x 142.2 cm. Purchase, Seymour Fund, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bach, by exchange, 1983.417a © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The bingata dyeing technique used for this garment involved the application of resist paste through one or more stencils, as well as the application of dyes and pigments to pattern areas with a brush. Usually, the colored designs are covered over with protective paste before the background is dyed, and, finally, the paste is washed off, revealing the vibrant colors and spirited designs that are typical of bingata.