Key Information

Photographer

Hugh E. Richardson

Collection

Hugh Richardson

Date of Photo

1948

Named Person

Ruthog

Region

Lhasa

Accession number

BMR.6.8.170

Image Dimensions

60 x 90 mm

The Ruthog Depon in the ceremonial clothes of a Yaso standing on the steps leading into a building with two attendants standing on either side of him. Two officials were appointed with the Mongol title of Yaso for the duration two days on the 22nd and 23rd days of the first Tibetan month for the preparations of the camp at Lubu and the Review at Trapchi.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Transparency

Expedition

Hugh E. Richardson

Other Information

Technical Information - The camera used to take this collection of colour slides (Dufay colour) were a Zeiss Super Ikonta and a Reflex Korelle. [KC 09/10/2006]

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Typewritten handlist entitled 'Hugh Richardson Collection, The British Museum. Photographs taken between 1936-50. Cameras: Zeiss Super Ikonta, Reflex Korelle. 300 colour slides (Dufay colour); copies made Jan. 1995.
[no.] 170. The Yaso commander, Ruthog Dapon, c. 1948. Each year on the 22nd day of the first month, two nobles take on the title of Yaso, a Mongol term for the commanders of the ancient militia. They wear especially magnificent clothing.' [KC 10/10/2006]

Other Information - Background: Richardson briefly discusses the duties of the Yaso in Ceremonies of the Lhasa Year, 1993, London: Serindia Publications, pp. 31-3. Two officials were appointed with the Mongol title of Yaso for the duration two days on the 22nd and 23rd days of the first Tibetan month for the preparations of the camp at Lubu and the Review at Trapchi. The title Yaso carries with it the responsibilities of commanding the two wings of the ancient militia and leading the military exercises over the two days. "In the morning,dressed in magnificent robes and mounted on ponies caparisoned with gilded trappings and coloured rosettes on their heads, the Yaso ride in procession with a large retinue to the Jokhang ... The Yaso robes are of the most costly brocade embroidered with dragons on the front and back, and so heavy they can stand up by themselves. They weaar large, round,flat hats with a fur brim and red silk crown with a vase-shaped gold and turquoise ornament and a coral button on top. The robe is girded by a wide gold belt and they wear a dagger, an embroidered purse and a silk-covered cup case. Their attendants are also in fine brocade or silk of blue or green; some have a red baldric over the right shoulder; some have flat fur-brimmed hats; others have Mongol style fez-shaped brocade hats; they wear gold bracelets and carry coral rosaries." (p. 31) [KC 20/10/2006]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Ruthog Depon in the clothes of a Yaso with attendants" 05 Dec. 2006. The British Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_BMR.6.8.170.html>.

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The Pitt Rivers Museum

The British Museum

Ruthog Depon in the clothes of a Yaso with attendants