Banbi
Encyclopedia
Banbi also known as Banxiu (半袖) is an item of traditional Chinese attire. It is a form of waistcoat or outerwear that were worn over ruqun
, and had half-length sleeves. The style of its collar varies but it can be secured at the front either with ties or a metal button. According to the chinese records, banbi clothing style was invented from the short jacket (短襦) that the Chinese wear. It was first designated as waistcoat for palace maid but the popularity soon reach amongst the commoners. It was recorded in the Book of Jin
, when Emperor Ming of Wei
met Yang Fu, the emperor himself was dressed in commoner's Banbi.
During Tang Dynasty, there was another form of Banbi or short sleeve waistcoat worn called Yihe Dang (衣+盍)裆. The sleeve covers around the shoulder area and there is no opening in the front or back. In order to wear it, people would have to tuck in, then out from the neck of the clothing. Generally, it's worn outside of a long sleeve shirt. In the "Legend of Huo Xiao Yu" (崔小玉传) that was written during Tang Dynasty, the main female character Huo Xiaoyu wear this style most of the time.
Other sources suggest that banbi was adopted from Central Asia
during the Tang Dynasty
through the Silk Road
when cultural exchanges were frequent. And that it was also known as beizi
during Tang Dynasty.
Ruqun
Ruqun is an item of traditional Chinese attire primarily for women. It consists of a blouse and a wrap-around skirt . It has a long history, and has been worn by women since the Warring States Period.-History:...
, and had half-length sleeves. The style of its collar varies but it can be secured at the front either with ties or a metal button. According to the chinese records, banbi clothing style was invented from the short jacket (短襦) that the Chinese wear. It was first designated as waistcoat for palace maid but the popularity soon reach amongst the commoners. It was recorded in the Book of Jin
Book of Jin
The Book of Jin is one of the official Chinese historical works. It covers the history of Jin Dynasty from 265 to 420, which written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Tang Dynasty, with the lead editor being the Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, drawing mostly from the official...
, when Emperor Ming of Wei
Cao Rui
Cao Rui , formally known as Emperor Ming of Wei, was the second emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was a son of Cao Wei's first emperor Cao Pi according to Liu Song dynasty historian, Pei Songzhi, but was a son of Yuan Xi according to modern...
met Yang Fu, the emperor himself was dressed in commoner's Banbi.
During Tang Dynasty, there was another form of Banbi or short sleeve waistcoat worn called Yihe Dang (衣+盍)裆. The sleeve covers around the shoulder area and there is no opening in the front or back. In order to wear it, people would have to tuck in, then out from the neck of the clothing. Generally, it's worn outside of a long sleeve shirt. In the "Legend of Huo Xiao Yu" (崔小玉传) that was written during Tang Dynasty, the main female character Huo Xiaoyu wear this style most of the time.
Other sources suggest that banbi was adopted from Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
during the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
through the Silk Road
Silk Road
The Silk Road or Silk Route refers to a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa...
when cultural exchanges were frequent. And that it was also known as beizi
Beizi
A beizi is an item of traditional Chinese attire common to both men and women, similar to a cloak. Most popular during the Ming Dynasty, beizi also known as banbi during the Tang Dynasty) are believed to have been adopted from Central Asia during the Tang Dynasty through the Silk Road when...
during Tang Dynasty.