Skew representations and an identity of Shi (Q2563719)

Let \(\chi^{\lambda/ \mu}\) be the character of the symmetric group \(S_m\), \(m = |\lambda |- |\mu |\), corresponding to the skew diagram \(\lambda/ \mu\) (see Chapter 2.3 of \textit{G. James} and \textit{A. Kerber} [The representation theory of the symmetric group, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass. (1981; Zbl 0491.20010)], or Example 3, p. 117 of \textit{I. G. Macdonald} [Symmetric functions and Hall polynomials, 2nd edition, Oxford (1995; Zbl 0824.05059)]. The author gives a branching rule for restriction of such a character from \(S_{m+1}\) to \(S_m\). This is then used inductively to obtain an identity expressing \(\chi^{ \lambda/ \mu}\) in terms of the restrictions to \(S_m\) of the skew characters associated to certain diagrams related to \(\lambda/ \mu\), as follows. Suitable sets of nodes are removed from the left of the rows of \(\lambda/ \mu\) and replaced on the left of some given row, say row \(u\); further nodes are then added (if necessary) to make row \(u\) flush left with row \(u+1\). A special case of this identity gives a realisation at character level of a combinatorial identity of \textit{J.-Y. Shi} [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 63, No. 1, 79-89 (1993; Zbl 0772.05098)], which counts standard skew tableaux with two rows by means of lattice paths. The question arises whether the general formula proved here admits a similar combinatorial description.