Hello Dear Reader and Welcome to this post, today I would like to talk about repeating patterns in Japanese art.
There are many patterns most of which have messages of good fortune. These patterns are abstractions of nature and everyday items. The images and designs would be printed or sewn onto cloth, some patterns having particular meaning and worn by specific people, brides, babies, warriors, the everyday man, geishas and of course Emperors.
One of the most interesting designs to emerge from Japan, around the 7th century, was the Karakusa, translated as wilding plant or foreign plant. This motif is an abstraction of nature, a complex, sinuous design which challenges the eye to find the beginning or the end of the pattern. As mentioned in a separate post, the Art Nouveau movement was greatly influenced by this intriguing and complex pattern.
This is a deliciously designed flowery shape which includes a vortex-like curve resembling a vine. The vine aspect represents prosperity because of its stout nature.
To those in the West these beautiful patterns were and still are exotic. Evoking an air of mysticism. Some are elegantly understated in their design and others rich and complex. Trade with Japan was limitied for many years, Portugese, Dutch and Spanish traders had been visiting Japan regularly during the 16th and 17th centuries. However the European visitors often tried to convert the Japanese people to Catholicism, which displeased the emperor to the point that he banned all trade and banished the Europeans. It was not until the the mid 19th century, 1853, that an American commodore Matthew Perry took four ships into Tokyo harbour. He took a squadron of men, gifts for the emperor and documents from the American government, it was by no means an easy task. The government documents he took were primarily to ensure the safety of shipwrecked sailors, his petition was taken into consideration by the empire. It was year later he returned, and the empire agreed to the terms and the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed in 1854. This did not initially open trade with Japan, however after the British had used force to open trade with China, Japan opted to willingly open its borders for trade and the Harris Treaty was signed in 1858. As the trade routs became firmly established and when the West met East the desire for all things Japanese grew.
Part of Japanese Culture is following and celebrating the seasons. Each season has patterns and images that are specific to them. For example, the one thing that is brought to mind when thinking of Japan is Cherry Blossom, This being the national flower of Japan. It represents spring, abundance and the short beauty of life.
Summer in Japan is represented by fireworks, goldfish, Morning Glories and Hydrangeas. It has long been the tradition in Japan to have firework displays during their summer festivals. Goldfish were part of the festivals, as goldfish scooping was a popular game of the time. Goldfish patterns are also used to remind the wearer of cool waters during the oppressive heat of summer. Morning Glories are bright and cheerful, flowering in July and August, they are synonymous with the summer season and feature in many summer fashion fabrics. The beginning of summer in Japan is marked by the drizzly grey days of June and this is when the Hydrangeas flower. Like the Morning Glory they are a bright and cheerful flower, showing the promise of summer to come.
As the season wains and the leaves turn, autumn is a riot of reds, yellows and oranges. Inspiration is also taken from the rich variety of harvest fruits and vegetables. The flower patterns of autumn are muted with greys contrasting against the reds of Maple leaf and Dahila or the pinky purple of the Cyclamen.
Japan is temperate and it snows in winter. The snowflake was first observed by the Japanese during the Edo period 1603 – 1867, the beauty of this crystalline structure inspired the artists of the time and a variety of snowflake patterns were developed. The flakes are arranged like flowers picked out in blues and golds and set in a background of whites and pale creams.
Below are four of my personal favourites.
Kumo: this is a pattern representing cloud. Its ancient name was Unki meaning ‘cloud air’ as it looks like the rising clouds over mountains. it is a pattern pleasing to the eye as unlike many of the other geometric designs it is undulating and soft.
Koi: a pattern clearly depicting the fish of the same name. This can be a very complex design, sinuous and giving a feeling of movement. The legend behind this design is that, if the Koi swims against the current and strives to reach the waterfall it will be transformed into a Dragon. The origin of this legend is from China but adopted by the Japanese, symbolising success in life.
Chidori: meaning Plover, this is a small unassuming wading bird which migrates through Japan in the spring. It stops briefly to refuel before continuing to the arctic tundra to nest and breed. Because it is small and tenacious, braving strong wings and ocean waves, its image denotes victory against the odds and the achievement of a goal.
Kiku: is a noteworthy motif representing the Chrysanthemum. This design was first introduced during the Nara period, the imperial family was fascinated with this complex bloom and over the years it became the emblem of the imperial family . it still has a place today as the adornment on the Japanese passport.