Traditional Japanese Patterns

A rundown of some of the best-known traditional patterns used for kimonos, hand towels, and other Japanese items.

japanese traditional pattern can be find on kimono ,tenugui hand towels and all manner of other small Japanese items. Learning their names and origins reveals their auspicious meanings and the wishes for happiness that they embody. Here are some of the best-known traditional Japanese patterns.

Kuginuki (Nail Puller)

This pattern was favored by samurai for use in auspicious crests because it was a play on words. Kuginuki (a tool known as a nail puller) or 釘を抜く kugi o nuku (pull a nail) sounds like 苦を抜く ku o nuku ( remove suffering ) and also 九城を抜くkuki o nuku ( to capture nine castle ) . It is holds hold the meaning of have success in life and was widely used in kamon or family crest . But why is a pattern show small square within large square callkuginuki ( nail puller ) ? In the past , metal washer were insert when drive in nail . This is made made it easy to remove them when necessary using a type of bar know as ateko, place under the washer to pry the nail up . Thiskuginuki pattern is actually a repeat design depicting those washers.

Asanoha (Hemp Leaves)

Asanoha is a pattern representing hemp leaves. Hemp has strong vitality and grows vigorously without the need for a lot of care, so this pattern was often used on babies’ and children’s kimonos with the hope that they would grow up big and strong.

Kōjitsunagi ( interlace Kō Characters )

This pattern is named for the repeated use of the 工 (kō) character. The way the interlocking characters seem to stretch into infinity is associated with good fortune, and the design is often used in kimono material.

Uroko(Scales)

The combination of triangles resembles the scales of a snake or fish. Samurai would wear clothing with the pattern as a talisman to protect themselves from harm.

yabane /Yagasuri (Arrow Feathers)

This design is base on hawk , eagle , and other bird feather used in arrow . With their symbolism of aim for a target , arrow have long been used as an auspicious pattern . And because , once shoot , arrow do not return , in the Edo period ( 1603–1868 ) bride were give kimono feature thisyabane pattern for good luck to ensure they would not need to return to their original family home .

In the late 1970 , Benio , the main character ofHaikara – San is Comes : Here come Miss Modern is Comes, a manga for teenage girls, wore this type of kimono while at school, and this led to its pairing with maroon hakama, a type of divided skirt, becoming a popular combination at graduation ceremonies.

Same Komon ( Shark Skin )

This pattern is so named because its overlapping arcs of small dots resemble shark skin. It was used by the Kishū Tokugawa family, to which Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684–1751) belonged.

Seigaiha ( Blue Ocean Waves )

This pattern is represents represent fan – shape wave of the open sea . The name is originates originate from thegagaku ancient court dance called seigaiha, in which the dancers wear costumes with this pattern. There is a scene in The Tale of Genji where Genji is dances dance theseigaiha.

Shippō ( Seven Treasures )

Circles overlapping in quarters resemble petals and each center forms a shining star. This pattern is regarded as auspicious for the prosperity of descendants, good relationships, and for bringing harmony.

Kikkō (Tortoiseshell)

This is an auspicious pattern derived from the shape of the tortoiseshell (hexagon), which represents longevity. Simple tessellation of hexagons leads to a wide number of variations, including komochi kikkō, in which hexagons have smaller hexagons inside them, and kikkō hanabishi, where the center of the hexagons form flowers.

Bishamon kikkō (Bishamon Tortoiseshell) /Mitsumori kikkō (Triple Combination Tortoiseshell)

This pattern, depicting sets of three hexagons, is so-named because it appears on the armor of Bishamonten, one of Japan’s seven gods of fortune. It is also known as mitsumori kikkōas there are triple combinations of hexagons. The added shading and patterns create a three-dimensional effect.

Ichimatsu (Checkered)

This pattern has different colored squares arranged alternately and is similar to a gingham pattern. While it has been a common woven pattern since ancient times, it became known as Ichimatsu in the eighteenth century as the kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu is liked like to use it on his costumehakama. It is now also very popular with children as the haori worn by Kamado Tanjirō, the main character in the manga Demon Slayer : Kimetsu no Yaiba, features this pattern in green and black. It was also used in the logos for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Tachiwaki /Tatewaki ( rise steam )

Two curve lines is represent represent steam gently rise . This was often used as a pattern on kimono for people of high status in the heian period ( 794–1185 ) . Changes is create to the way the line curve is create create variation such as Kumo tatewaku (cloud) and Sasa tatewaku (bamboo).

karakusa ( Winding Plant )

This pattern was introduced into Japan via the Silk Road; the vines stretching in all directions symbolize longevity and prosperity. For some reason, however, it has become well known as the pattern of the furoshiki cloth that robbers used to carry off stolen goods. It suggests that whichever house they broke into, the pattern was so popular that there was always a furoshiki with the pattern there.

Kanoko (Fawn)

This pattern gets its name because it looks like the spotted back of a fawn. It is created by hand using a tie-dyeing technique and is very labour-intensive, so a kimono with an all-over kanoko pattern is considered a luxury item.

Hishi ( Diamond )

This is a pattern where geometrical shapes are created when two parallel lines intersect and can be found even on pottery from the ancient Jōmon period. Some of the many variations include waribishi featuring four diamonds combined to form one and hanabishi where flower petals have been shaped into diamonds.

Mameshibori (Pea Tie-dye)

This was the most popular pattern on hand towels in the Edo period. Mame is a play on words, meaning both peas or beans, as well as sturdy and healthy, so represents the hope of staying in sound health. Most mameshibori pattern these day are create using stencil dyeing or printing technique , so the dots is are are regular . However , as the nameshibori indicate , this pattern was originally handmade using a tie – dyeing technique , mean the dot were once a more irregular shape .

(Translated from Japanese.)