Batik
Pekalongan Batik including the famous batik art in Indonesia, even to foreign countries already know the types of batik from this area. And if there is one area that is dubbed as Kampung Batik Indonesia, then it is the city of Pekalongan. Pekalongan Batik is the most rich in color. Batik Pekalongan describes the characteristics of coastal communities adaptable outside cultural influences and is also capable of adapting influence of inland batik.
Pekalongan Batik's history can not be separated from the good influence of other regions as well as influences from outside. These influences enrich the diversity of Pekalongan batik itself. Things that affect Pekalongan batik are:
The Influence of Kraton Cirebon
Early development of batik is closely related to the influence of the Sultanate of Cirebon contained in Pekalongan batik. This is due to the XV and XVI century Cirebon palace was the center of culture and religion for the people on the north coast of Java. The development of batik in Cirebon and Pekalongan cannot be separated from their local cultural-relations chief source of historical building opposite supported supporting components. Cirebon batik decorative pattern is influenced among other forms of decoration of the Sunyaragi Park and Pakungwati Palace, while Pekalongan batik tend to the decoration of Chinese ceramics that adorn the palace and tomb of Cirebon King in Gunungjati.
Cirebon batik, Taman Arum Sunyaragi
The Influence of Kraton Kraton
Pekalongan was a part of the Mataram kingdom. The history of Pekalongan cannot be separated from the influence of Mataram Kingdom. Pekalongan batik significantly developed after Diponegoro War or also called as Java War (1825-1830) in the kingdom of Mataram. The occurrence of war urged the royal family and his followers to leave the kingdom. They then spread towards the East and the West. Then in the new areas the family and their followers developed batik.
Given this migration, Pekalongan Batik experiencing rapid development in comparison with other regions. The development of batik around the beach area, namely in the area of Buaran as well Pekajangan and Wonopringgo. Although the characteristics of Pekalongan batik motif are similar to Yogyakarta or Solo batik, Pekalongan Batik is very free and interesting as modified by many attractive color variations. Many also found that Pekalongan batik has a lot of different colors with a dynamic combination. The colors are striking look is in stark contrast with the interior of batik patterns such as batik Solo and Jogjakarta. The names of Solo and Yogyakarta batik is contrary to Pekalongan batik that has a variety of colors to suit the character of the society that is open, free and very marginal. Pekalongan batik describes the characteristics of people's lives at beach who are easily adapt the influence of foreign cultures and also capable of adapting influence inland batik.
According to the style and taste, as well as in terms of the decoration and hues, Pekalongan batik can be classified into 3 groups:
Batik Encim
Batik Encim is known of its typical Chinese colors, and often reminiscent of Chinese porcelain items. Batik Pekalongan encim seems geared to a system of color porcelain famille rose, famille verte and so forth. The decoration can digolongan on three types of ornamentation that is: