Introducing the tortoiseshell pattern, one of Japan's traditional patterns

・The history of the tortoiseshell pattern

In Japan, cranes and turtles have long been considered symbols of good fortune and longevity, and are considered to be auspicious animals. The tortoise shell pattern is a design that resembles the shell of a turtle. The tortoise shell pattern itself is said to have been introduced from China. Its history is very old, and it is said to have arrived in Japan during the Asuka and Nara periods. At the time, tortoiseshell patterns were considered to be for the nobility, and ordinary people were not allowed to even see them, let alone wear them. For this reason, kimonos, obi belts, and pottery that use tortoiseshell patterns are often gorgeous and decorated with gold and other elements. In the Kamakura period, it began to be used among samurai, and as it came into contact with the general public, it became widely known. Because it was a pattern widely used by samurai, it somehow gives off a sense of strength and masculinity.

・Types of tortoiseshell patterns

The tortoiseshell pattern is used for a variety of things. For example, there are many family crests that use tortoise shells. I'm sure you've all seen the "Tortoise Shell Hanabishi" and "Tortoise Shell with Tomoe" at least once. There are also several derivatives of the tortoise shell pattern. For example, the "Bishamon Tortoise Shell" is a combination of three tortoise shell patterns. At first glance, it looks different from the tortoise shell pattern, but it is also related to the tortoise shell pattern. Because it is a simple pattern, it can be arranged in a variety of ways. Like the family crest we talked about earlier, you can place another pattern within the tortoise shell pattern, or make the tortoise shell frame double or triple. Continuous tortoise shell patterns are also often seen on kimonos and obi.

-How is the tortoiseshell pattern used overseas?

This hexagonal pattern can be seen not only in Japan but also overseas. However, it seems that the same pattern is perceived slightly differently in Japan and overseas (especially in the West). Overseas, regular hexagons like the tortoiseshell pattern are called "honeycomb." When people overseas see this pattern, many of them seem to think of a beehive rather than a turtle shell. It's interesting how the name and image change depending on the country, even though it has the exact same shape. When you see a hexagon, do you think of a turtle shell or a beehive?