Cherry Blossom

a national flower of Japan. One of the most beloved symbols of springime. Absolutely popular, almost stereotype motif for poets or painters.
Spring is the time of "coming into bud"(Me ga deru), it stands for joyful (Medetai), happinesspromissing (Engi ga yoi) beginning. wearable for all seasons.

Peony

Traditionally regarded as "the king of flowers" because of its beauty and gorgeousness. stands for happiness, wealth, prosperity. Introduced from China during 8th century.

Butterfly

Associated with its transfiguration from chrysalis to an adult, butterfly represents “revival”, “rebirth”, “resurrection”, as well as “everlasting youth and life”, “immortality”.
The pronunciation “cho” 蝶 recalls another character 長, i.e. “long” or “everlasting”, “longevity”.

Snow circle

A motif of snow, represents the hexagonal shape of its crystal, lightly deformed into a circle

Blue Ocean Waves

Endless repetition of simplified fan-shaped waves stands for peaceful ocean, with a wish for a hope that a peaceful life will last forever.

Citrus

Tachibana, a kind of citrus, is a legendary fruit brought from the eternal land called “Tokoyo no kuni”, where the dead must go and live forever.
It stands for everlasting prosperity and longevity and is commonly used for formal clothing for wedding or funeral.

Japanese?bush?clover.

Bush clover, hagi, is one of the seven most symbolical flowers of Japanese autumn, so called “seven autumnal flowers”.
From end summer to autumn, small, pink or white flowers will be in bloom. Its round leaves are divided into three small parts.

calamus

It is also called "Ayame". In early summer, it produces thick ears of densely packed fine yellow flowers. The leaves are sword-shaped and have a strong fragrance, which is believed to ward off evil spirits. It is used in various ceremonies to ward off evil spirits.

Balloonflower

Balloonflower, Kikyo, is one of the seven most symbolical flowers of Japanese autumn, so called “seven autumnal flowers”.
It flowers from August to September in a violet colour. Traditionally very popular motif as a symbol of pureness and elegance.

Chrysanthemum

Brought from China in 8th century, a most representative symbol for longevity, according to a Chinese legend of “Chrysanthemum water”.
The motif is used not only autumn, a season of this flower, but also all around the seasons.
Legend of Chrysanthemum water:In an area of the Yellow River headwaters there was a village where plenty of chrysanthemum flowers were in bloom.
Water from valley stream which gathers dew of chrysanthemum flowers made the village people live long, longer than one hundred years.

Ume (jap. apricot)

Ume, Japanese apricot, is a flower which blooms in coldest winterdays, earlier than any other flowers. Simple and pure, spreading noble flagrance.

Pine tree, Banboo, Ume (jap. apricot)

Pine is considered as auspicious, because of the steadiness and consistency, not to change its colour in winter, in a severe time, as well as because of its long life, as well as happinessbringing because of its long life.
Bamboo is a sacred plant which has strong roots, grows straight, but elastic and does not break easily.
Ume, Japanese apricot, is a flower which blooms in coldest winterdays, earlier than any other flowers. Simple and pure, spreading noble flagrance.

Haze, mist

The Japanese people could give a shape to shapeless mist, a form to formless clouds.
Japan’s changeable climate provides a rich source of remarkable motifs of ephemeral phenomena, mist or snow, waves or clouds.

Treasure Collection

Collection of happinessbringing treasures
(1)Uchide no Kozuchi, a legendary magic mallet that grows one's intelligence at a wave
(2)Kin’no, a purse that represents wealth and prosperity
(3)Choji, clove, a kind of spice, which was as precious as gold.
(4)Maki-jiku, scrolls of holy Buddhist scripts
(5)Hundo, weights, representing a balance and fairness.
(6)Kakure-mino, a cloak of invisibility
(7)Shichi-Horin, seven sacred rings
(8)Kakure-gasa (case), a woven hat of invisibility
(9)Hoju, a treasure ball

red or yellow leaves, autumnal tints

Autumn leaves are an indispensable pattern to represent autumn, and have been used as a pattern since ancient times.
When we see autumn leaves, we try to bring in fresh air to our bodies after a long summer.
When maple leaves turn red, they become red. Maple is called "frog's hand" because it looks like a frog's hand, and "frog" means "return".

hand drum

This is a pattern of the shape of a small Japanese musical instrument, the kotsuzumi. On kimonos and obis (sashes), a small drum with a narrow body is dyed or woven into an elegant shape.

a fawn pattern of dapples white-spotted pattern

sppotted pattern of fawn's back

a?court?carriage drawn by an ox, a vehicle for noble people

An ox cart used as a vehicle for nobles in the Heian period.
It is used as a pattern to symbolize the classical and elegant dynastic culture.
It is also called the "Tale of Genji" as it symbolizes the elegant world of the Tale of Genji.

a tortoise?shell a hexagonal pattern.

“Kikko”, shell of tortoise, is a happiness-bringing geometrical motif, because the animal is believed to live a long life for ten thousand years.
The motif otiginates from the Heian era (8th-12th century).

Seven Treasures

Cloisonne is a Buddhist term meaning gold, silver, and lapis lazuli.
Cloisonne is a Buddhist word meaning seven treasures: gold, silver, lapis lazuli, acorns, coral, agate, and shako.
It also means that the circle of people who surround you spreads out in all directions, and that the connections and trust of invisible people have the same value as visible treasure.

device for luring servants into a kimono

It was used for armor worn by samurai in the past. Because of its beautiful color scheme, it is used as a dignified pattern.

steam rising up

It is said to be a pattern based on the appearance of steam rising up. Since the Heian period (794-1185), it has been used as a dignified pattern for the costumes of people of high rank.

Kanze-styled water

A pattern that represents water as a long horizontal whirlpool.
It originates from the pattern of the Kanze school of Noh drama.
It is widely used as a prestigious pattern.

swastika, fylfot

A pattern repeating a Chinese character “卍” standing for the number 10,000.
With a wish “ever-lasting-happiness”, the pattern is commonly used for background pattern of wedding kimono.

war helmet

A Samurai commanders’ equipment for protecting their heads. Motif for brevity.

flower rhombuses

A variation of a motif “Yotsu-bishi”, combination of four rhombuses.
Every rhombus form is designed as flower petal. Regarded as noble and dignified.

string decoration

Decorative string braids for clothing or other items

bamboo grass

A design of bamboo leaves and branches.　It is not as tall as bamboo, and has a much thinner stem. Like bamboo, it is a congratulatory pattern.

fan

The fan is considered a good omen for prosperity and good fortune, as it spreads out to form an expanse.
It was also used to invoke the spirits of the gods to bring good fortune and avoid evil.

Crane

In Asian legend, cranes live thousand, turtle ten thousand years.
A symbol for longevity has been beloved because of its noble figure, as it stands or dances.

paulownia wood

A legendary bird, “houou”, a phoenix, is believed to live on the tree of paulownia, therefore, regarded as noble.
The tree blossoms in May or June violet flowers, but the motif as a happy symbol is used for all seasons.

wisteria (esp. Japanese wisteria, Wisteria floribunda)

Wisteria is a graceful flower with long purple or white flowers hanging down in clusters from April to May. Wisteria flowers are forever beautiful and have the meaning of prosperity of descendants.

Camellia japonica

Since ancient times, it has been thought to have the power to ward off evil spirits and has been favored as a sacred tree that heralds spring. As a pattern for kimonos, it also has the meaning of good luck.

Dragon

A legendary monster, 龍, dragon, is regarded as a symbol of happiness.
Has a figure similar to a great snake, wearing 81 scales, having four paws with five fingers each.
Two horns on the head, long whiskers around the jaws, a reversed scale at the neck. Lives under water, flies highly in the sky, creating clouds, causing rains and storms.

Hawk

Regarded as a noble bird of prey, with dignity, brevity and power.
A symbol for Samurai caste.

lattice

It is also called plaid, and is one of the striped patterns. The name is derived from the lattice of the fittings. There are a variety of patterns by combining vertical and horizontal stripes.

ivy (esp. Boston ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

Because of the way the ivy twines, it was chosen to ward off theft. Also, because of its strength of life, it is often used as a plant for prosperity of descendants and good luck. The arabesque pattern in particular has been loved as an auspicious pattern that signifies prosperity and longevity for the family.

Clouds

Symbolized pattern of clouds, designed with lines or colors. Clouds, constantly changing their form, it symbolizes good or bad fortune.
Gentle and beautiful.

Waves

Symbolized pattern of waves, constantly repeating and changing their form.
there are various forms and designs, big waves, small waves, wild waves etc.

hinoki cypress

Hinokigaki is a fence made of thin sheets of cypress woven diagonally. The design is based on the shape of the mesh.

woven-bamboo pattern

The regular weave of a bamboo basket is used as a pattern.

three comma‐shaped figures in a circle

A pattern of combined three “Tomoe”, a traditional comma-like figure taken from whiripool.
Others say the comma shape comes from a hieroglyph for snake. A popular pattern widely spreading not only in China, Korea, Central Asia, Scythia, even Greece

Rhizophora mucronata (species of moss)

The design consists of a large water chestnut with smaller water chestnuts slightly overlapping on the top and bottom (similar to the cracks in the bark of a pine tree).

arabesque pattern

It originated in the ancient Orient and Greece.
It was introduced to Japan from China, where it was regarded as a vine pattern and loved.
It has been combined with other plants to create variations.

Japanese drum

One of Japan's traditional musical instruments. Many of the instruments are derived from rituals.

dragon flute (medium-pitched bamboo transverse flute with seven-holes)

A transverse flute made of bamboo for gagaku (traditional Japanese court music). Many of the instruments are derived from rituals.

Chinese phoenix

An imaginary bird, phoenix, from ancient China.
Its appearance brings a peace and prosperity to the whole world.
Commonly used since Asuka period (550?710 CE) for various items.

a?military leader's fan

A fan for commanding army. An item of Samurai leaders since Medieval Age.

treasure ball

A jewel ball which gives whatever one wants.

running water, stream

Water has been regarded as holy.
Nobly symbolizing pure water running everywhere in the nature of Japan, the motif has many variations of constantly changing forms.

treasure box key

A key that protects treasure.

drum with flame motifs

A drum for Bugaku, an ancient style music.
Because of their powerful and sonorous sound, drums were believed to be an ideal method to communicate with gods.
The word “Yoku naru” (sounds wonderful) have a same pronunciation with “Yoku naru”.

arabesque flower patterns

A flower pattern originated in Sassanian Persia (224-651 A.D.) and transformed in China, where it become added with a concept of imaginative flower in the paradise. Brought to Japan with Buddhism. Many variations.

treasure ship

A treasure sailing ships bearing the “Seven Fortune God” on board and a pile of precious goods.
On the night of 2nd January, if you get a picture of the “Treasure Ships” with a happy palindrome poem, you’ll dream a good dream.
If not, you shall let the picture float onto the river, in order not to have bad luck for the whole year.

tortoise?shell pattern after Bishamon's motif

A variant of tortoise shell.
It is a shape consisting of three regular hexagons connected by an outline, with the adjacent sides erased.
The name is derived from the pattern on the armor of Bishamonten, one of the Four Heavenly Kings who protect Buddhism.

chequered pattern

A pattern of alternating squares of different colors on the top, bottom, left and right sides.
It has been used since the Heian period (794-1185), and was a favorite of Kabuki actor Ichimatsu Sanogawa in the Edo period (1603-1868).

rhombus

A motif made after spiny fruit of water chestnut.
Already used for ancient pottery since more than ten thousand years ago. One of the most popular geometrical patterns.
Often used for pottery, too.

dew on the grass

A combination of curved lines which represent grass and dots which represent dews.
Sometimes overlaid sometimes overland, sometimes scattered.

Handball

A toy for chirdren.　Production for decoration purpose because poplar during Edo period.
As a motif for children and woman, often used for Obi belts.

Metall foil collage

Kirikane is a decorative technique with precious metal leaves. Used originally for Buddhist statue or paintings.
Gorgeous patterns made of gold leaf, silver leaf, or platinum leaf cut into lines.

young pine

young pine;?New Year's?symbolic?pine?decoration

pattern resembling that of arrow feathers

Originally, it referred to the kasuri with arrow feather patterns. In the Edo period (1603-1867), it was said that if a person wore a kimono with an arrow pattern when getting married, the arrow would not come back (because the arrow that was shot would not come back).

flower chafer (any flower beetle of tribe Cetoniini)

It originated in Sasanian Persia (a country in Western Asia from 224-651). To the ancient people, birds had the auspicious meaning of flying from paradise and bringing happiness, and the flowering branches that birds hold in their mouths were a symbol of happiness.

Pine tree

Pine is considered as auspicious, because of the steadiness and consistency, not to change its colour in winter, in a severe time, as well as because of its long life, as well as happinessbringing because of its long life.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a sacred plant which has strong roots, grows straight, but elastic and does not break easily.