隐囊考

On the Yinnang-Bolster

隐囊是一种源于印度的以织物为表、以织物或纤维为填充物的圆筒状卧具,南北朝时期由佛教徒和粟特人传入中国北方地区,之后传入南方地区,并成为士族阶层喜爱的晏佚用具。隐囊在南北朝时期和隋唐时期广为流行,宋代以后消失,仅作为名士的象征物在诗文和绘画中出现。

Yinnang,a kind of bolster composed of a textile bag and textile or fiber fillers,is a kind of cylindrical bedding originated in India.It was introduced into Northern China by Buddhists and Sogdians during the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period,then quickly been introduced into South China and become the bedding of nobles.Yinnang was popular from the Southern and Northern Dynasties through the Tang Dynasty,but disappeared in daily life after the Song Dynasty,and only can be found in the literatures and paintings as a symbol of the gracefulness of the educated nobles.