This antique Okinawan bingata-patterned robe, measuring 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 61 inches (155 cm) in height, is a rare find. Bingata robes, created using a specialized katazome technique unique to Okinawa in southern Japan, carry a distinct history tied to the Ryukyu kingdom.

From the 15th to the 18th centuries, the Ryukyu kingdom, encompassing Okinawa and surrounding islands, thrived as a significant trading center with China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Influences from these regions shaped the kingdom's textiles, notably seen in the intricate bingata technique. Reserved for the aristocracy, these robes symbolized status, with motifs and colors denoting rank. After Japan's assimilation of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879, the traditional monarchy dissolved, leading to cultural shifts and adaptations among Okinawans.

This particular kimono, resembling the bingata style but tailored more like a Japanese kimono, likely emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century, between 1879 and 1912 (mid-to-late Meiji period). It reflects a fusion of Okinawan bingata techniques and traditional motifs, possibly influenced by Japanese preferences of that era. The choice of a subdued color palette might signify a nod to Japanese urban fashion while subtly preserving the aristocratic Ryukyu robe's hue in its inner lining—a potential secret homage to the past.

The kimono's existence showcases the cultural transition of Okinawa post-assimilation and hints at the preservation of heritage within evolving societal norms. This rare garment, tailored for a wealthy Okinawan woman formerly of the disbanded aristocracy, bridges the historical shifts within Okinawan textile craftsmanship and cultural adaptation during the Meiji era.