Ryukyuan Dance


Ryukyuan Hair Arrangements and Accessories	Performers of the Classical Women's Dances wear an artificial flower called mehbana placed slightly above the purple headband at the center of the raised chignon. The different schools insert either a camellia or peony into the hair. For the Wakashu or Boys Dances, the schools generally use chrysanthemum or an artificial gold flower inserted above the headpiece. Stiffened strands of gold and silver paper called basara extend outward to the sides from the mehbana in soft curves. The term basara means ornaments or "elaborations". Schools that use peony hair ornaments also generally dangle red and white tassels down along the sides of the face. The stiff noshi tassels are formed from starching together strands of gold paper, and dangled from the fan shaped chignon placed atop the head. The five or six stiffened curls lie against the back of the neck and help to provide a refined contrast of the dark hair with the purple band and emphasize the gentle head movements that go with the dance.

Scarlet Fretted Tabi	The traditional Okinawan tabi socks worn primarily in the Classical Women's and Wakashu dances.

The Purple Headband	These headbands are some three to four meters long. The cloth, folded four times, has its center over the forehead while the length trails down the back from behind the hair. The band is also used as the naka obi or central tie when bingata kimono are tied in the front. The band is essential to the Classical Women's Dances.

Formal Ryukyuan Court Robes	I.e., robes of stencil pattern dyed bingata, the epitome of Okinawan fabric. Alternately called kataziki, their history goes back some 500 years. Essential to the Classical Women's Dances, their extravagance of color and intricate designs serve as a symbol of Ryukyuan culture.