JAPANESE MOTIFS REVOLUTIONIZE SILK ART IN LATE MING DYNASTY

Abstract

This paper explores the influence of Japanese textile patterns on Ming silks during the medieval to early modern periods. Through an analysis of a group of rare and valuable silks with motifs from that era, this study compares the decorative arts of China and Japan and identifies three main methods of decorations that matured during that period. These decoration methods, including Tsujiga-hana dye, Suri-haku, and Nui-haku, were used for tie-dyeing, painting, embroidering, and sticking metallic foils. The paper highlights the similarities in the motifs and patterns used in both Chinese and Japanese cultures and explores the production and application of Ming silks that imitated Japanese textiles. This group of silks is seen as the early examples of the transmission of Japanese motifs, which had limited influences on China, making them a valuable record of the Sino-Japanese cultural exchange of ancient textile art. The paper suggests that further research and exploration of this topic is warranted.