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Names of The Most Popular Patterns

Shippo Tsunagi 

The several circles that appear across this pattern are stacked one on top of the other and are continuous in the vertical and horizontal directions. This design is often called the ring-changing sequence. Due to its nature of “lasting forever” in all four directions it is considered to be highly auspicious in Japanese culture.The original name for this design was “Shiho'' but over time it changed to “Shippo.'' In Japanese this means “The seven treasures.” The seven treasures are gold, silver, lapis lazuli, agate, coral, crystal, and pearl.

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 Namichidori Chidorimon (Wave Plover Chidori)

Namichidori Chidorimon is a general term for plovers that fly in flocks. The pattern below is often used to depict this behavior. It has been written about in poems and widely used as a pattern since the beginning of Japan’s history. The fabric is modeled after the story of the plover, in which both male and female birds raise their children together. It symbolizes the desire for family safety and marital harmony. The ``houndstooth check'', which consists of houndstooth patterns arranged in a grid pattern, is a simpler version of this pattern.

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 Old Pine Matsumon (Oimatsu Oimatsu)

Pine trees have long lives and are a type of evergreen that do not shed leaves in the winter. So they have long been believed to be the trees where the gods dwell. Kadomatsu is displayed during the New Year as a symbol of the God of the year. Each version of this pattern is representative of a different God. This pattern brings good luck and longevity. Pines are expressed in a variety of ways. Such as old pine trees, young pine trees, pine needles, pine fields, and pine forests.

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Snow Ring / Snow Flower (Yukiwa / Sekamon)

This pattern represents a snowflake. The image below shows a polka dot pattern inside a snow ring. In the past, it was believed that if there was a lot of snow, there would be a good harvest. So this pattern also has the meaning of wishing for a rich harvest. A popular pattern that can be used not only in winter but all seasons.

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Sayagata

This is a continuous pattern that represents the transformations of the Sanskrit character ``Manji'' (a character used to write Sanskrit with connections to Buddhism). This name comes from the silk fabric called Saaya, which was introduced from China. This pattern can be used for both celebrations and condolences, and is often used as a background pattern for kimonos. “Manji” is a sign of an omen of wealth and success.

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Tabane Noshi

The term Noshi is often used to refer to a ``noshi bag''. Noshi originally refers to Noshi Abalone, which is a gastropod molluscs delicacy made by stretching the abalone thinly and drying it. In the past, this abalone was so valuable that it was known as an incredibly special gift for important events. It is filled with the wishes of marriage and good health. Tabane Noshi is made by bundling several long thin Noshi together.

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Fumimon

This is the pattern of the concluding sentence. A closing sentence with a finished knot of the final letters. Perhaps because this design is also sent with love letters, it can be seen in various places as a “matchmaking charm'' in the form of knotted letters. The pattern prays for descendants' prosperity and marriage.

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Genji Incens

This name seems to have originated from a game called “Kouawase,'' which is played in Kodo. Genji refers to the Tale of Genji. The five line designs are named after each chapter of The Tale of Genji. Because it has a background in classical literature, it evokes an atmosphere of elegance.

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Wakamatsu

This is a pattern of a young pine tree displaying its first sprouts. The small and auspicious pine tree is used as a decoration at the beginning of the year. As a plant with newness and promise, it is often seen in the patterns of long-sleeved kimono obi.

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Hishimon

The pattern below is a continuous pattern based on a diamond shape. It can be seen in the background patterns of textiles from the Asuka-Nara period. There are many rhombus patterns, such as nested rhombuses. The nested rhombus pattern is a double or triple rhombus shape. Another example is the flower rhombuses. This combines the flowers into a diamond shape.

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Kanokomon

The name comes from how the fabric is made. The way it is tied and dyed makes it so the pattern resembles the back of a fawn.

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Ichimatsu

It is also called “Ishidatamimon'' because of its shape (which consists of alternating squares). Although this pattern has been around since ancient times, it got its name from the fact that Kabuki actor Ichimatsu Sanogawa used it for his performance costumes during the Edo period. It’s traditional pattern that became the basis of the Olympic emblem.

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Peony

Peonies have long been revered as the ruler of flowers in Japan. After being introduced to Japan for medicinal purposes during the Nara period, it was used as a decorative pattern on costumes and crafts. Because of what it symbolized it was considered a symbol of wealth and power. So it was unsurprisingly a favored design for samurais. Today, it is a pattern that can be seen on a wide variety of items such as kimonos and ceramics.

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 Tortoise Shell

This is a pattern in which regular hexagons are connected vertically and horizontally. It was most popular from the Heian period to the Kamakura period. It originally came to Japan via China. In ancient times, it was used by nobles (kijin) and also as a representation of mysterious things. The regular hexagon shape represents the shell of a turtle. The long-living turtles are a symbol of longevity. The image shows that the tortoise shell is two-layered, so it is also called the ``child-bearing tortoise shell.''

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Asanoha

This pattern consists of a geometric pattern of regularly repeating hexagons. This name comes from its resemblance to the leaves of the hemp plant. As hemp leaves grow quickly and straight, they are often used as baby clothes for children to pray for their healthy growth. This pattern is unique to Japan.

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Tatewaku

This continuous pattern has wavy curves that are lined up and repeated. It is said that the pattern depicts rising steam. It is a typical Yusoku pattern (a textile pattern used for the costumes of court nobles since the Heian period) that was loved by the aristocrats.

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Scale

In ancient times, the pattern below was used as a simple triangular pattern to decorate ancient tombs and haniwa. In the early modern period, it was given the name scale pattern and was used for Samurai's Jinbaori and Noh costumes. Scales are associated with snakes and butterflies rather than fish. They also often represent the idea of shedding one’s skin. Even in modern times, it is often seen in kimono designs as a pattern of rebirth, and protection against misfortune and evil spirits.

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Exhausting All Treasures

This pattern collects auspicious treasures. Created and reaching its height of popularity in the Muromachi period, it became established as an auspicious design. There are also the kozuchi, kakuremino, and nyoihoju versions but the types may differ depending on the region. This design wishes you good luck, wealth, and prosperity. The word “exhaust'' is used when different motifs are collected into the same field. In addition to treasure “exhaustion'' there are also the ``exhaustion of shellfish.''

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Seigaiha

This geometric pattern displays a wave of nested semicircles. Its name comes from the fact that it was worn on the costumes of the bugaku “Seikainami.'' It has been used for auspicious events since ancient times.

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Small Cherry Blossoms / Cherry Blossom Scattering (Kozakura / Sakura Chirashi)

The cherry blossom pattern is a flower pattern that represents Japan. Sakura chirashi is when flowers and petals are scattered all over the place. Since the Heian period, this pattern, which has been written in poems and combined with other patterns, can be used regardless of the season. It’s a symbol of good luck, good harvest, and prosperity.

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Umemon

Ever since plums were introduced from China during the Nara period, they have been featured in poems and have been seen at plum viewing parties as the “Manyo Flower.'' There are many stories and colors associated with plums. Since Michizane Sugawara liked plums, they are believed to bring good luck and academic success.

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Hosouge

This pattern has been used since ancient times, starting from the Nara period. It is a pattern of imaginary flowers that do not exist in this world, and is said to represent the mind of a Buddha who has reached the state of enlightenment. In the world of kimono, it is an elegant classic pattern that is often seen in the designs of fukuro-obi and tomesode.

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Fan pattern / Fan surface (Ougimon / Senmen)

Fans originated in the Heian period as cypress fans. They have since been used in a variety of ways including as paper fans and military fans, in Noh (a type of Japanese theater), in Kyogen(another type of Japanese theater), and in tea ceremonies. Even in modern Japanese clothing, it is worn as a part of the obi for celebrations. It means "expansion" and "development" because of its shape with widening ends.

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