Armband Item Number: Ed1.295 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Pair of cylindrical openwork arm bands for the lower arm, tapering slightly to wrist. Arm bands are made of lengths of rattan parallel to the length of the arm interlaced diagonally in a very open weave, and ending in a double circle at each end covered in interlaced wrapping of smooth strips of a white material.

History Of Use

Arm bands of this kind were worn in hot weather under the upper garment (chogori) to prevent the wearer’s clothing from sticking to his skin. They served to ventilate the sleeves. As they were simple, they could be worn by all social classes. Such articles were made by masters with this specialization. They were sometimes made of horsehair (from the horse’s tail) rather than rattan.