dreams in ink and vellum

Field in June - Thomas Sarrantonio,  2025

American , b. 1954 -

Hi! Thanks for loving my blog, and sorry for taking ages to reply! (image via)

Chinese rain capes/raincoats are called 蓑衣/suoyi, and they are mainly made from local materials - in southern China, straw and coir grass are mostly used, as well as brown hair and brown leaves; in the north, thatch and cattail grass are mostly used. It takes about two to three days to make a suoyi by hand. They are typically worn with bamboo hats called 斗笠/douli.

Below - Ming dynasty illustration of a suoyi and douli (x):

Suoyi has a long history, originating before the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC). Although I haven't worn one myself, sources state that they were very effective. Compared with umbrellas, suoyi was not only better at keeping out the rain, but also freed up the two hands to work. Farmers liked to wear it on rainy days, and fishermen often wore it when fishing during rainy and snowy days. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, people travelling during the rainy season usually brought along suoyi (source).

Below - 19th-century late Qing dynasty suoyi made of palm and straw fiber, plus bamboo douli and basket (1, 2):

The tradition of working in the wind and rain wearing suoyi and douli continued until the late 1960s in China, after which they were gradually replaced with modern rain gear. Today, suoyi has become more of a tourist souvenir and decorative object than a practical item. Nevertheless, it can still be seen being worn by some elderly farmers and fisherman.

Below - a cormorant fisherman wearing suoyi and douli in Yangshuo, Guilin, Guangxi (x):

I highly recommend reading the following article for more information on suoyi's history, craftsmanship, and current status: Suoyi: RuCai Lyu’s rain cape and its ongoing tradition of protection.

For additional references, please see my suoyi tag.

If anyone has more info, please share! ^^

Félix Vallotton (1865-1925, Swiss) ~ La Seine aux Andelys, le soir, 1924

The Truth of the Matter (72490 words) by pertifity Chapters: 11/11 Fandom: 莲花楼 | Mysterious Lotus Casebook (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Di Feisheng/Fang Duobing/Li Lianhua | Li Xiangyi, Fang Duobing/Li Lianhua | Li Xiangyi, Di Feisheng/Li Lianhua | Li Xiangyi, Di Feisheng/Fang Duobing Characters: Li Lianhua | Li Xiangyi, Fang Duobing, Di Feisheng, Su Xiaoyong, Qiao Wanmian, Liu Rujing, Qin Po (Mysterious Lotus Casebook), Shan Gudao, Jiao Liqiao, Princess Zhaoling (Mysterious Lotus Casebook) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, li lianhua is struck with the biggest blow since bicha poison, which is not being able to bullshit like he's used to, will this lead to emotional honesty and heartfelt confessions?, he sure hopes not, Slow Burn, set around episodes 20-25, Fix-It Series: Part 1 of Truth and Other Complications Summary:

At first Li Lianhua wasn't worried, curiously examining the strange dead bug in his hand. The singular positive of Bicha poison was the immunity it lent against other potential poisons, so he let the insect fall out of his hand onto the ground and promptly forgot about it.

Until a few hours later, watching a potential client storm off.

“There's nothing wrong with you that drinking water and getting some rest won't cure,” he heard himself say with some horror. “My medical advice is, drink less alcohol.” He then watched with stunned detachment as his salary for the day stomped away in outrage, in search of a more serious physician.

or

Legendary immovable truth curse meets unstoppable liar Li Lianhua

Zeng ShùnXi 曾舜晞

Wb update 2021.08.23

緑に癒やされたくて、「大阪みどりの百選」犬鳴山の渓谷へ。

昔からの修行の場であるけれど、緑に滝に・・・