Checkerboard

市松取り ichimatsu-dori

Checkerboard

Alternating squares of two colours or patterns; Ichimatsu's checked hakama made it popular and it was originally called ishidatami (paving stones). In most wraps the grid turns diagonal on the parcel.

Ancient pattern; named in mid-18th-century Edo

The checker of alternating squares was known in Japan long before it had its present name; it was called ishidatami ('paving stones'). It took the name ichimatsu from the kabuki actor Sanogawa (Sanokawa) Ichimatsu I (1722–62), who wore it on his hakama on stage in the mid-18th century, after which it became an Edo fashion on kimono, obi and household goods.

Revived widely after a checker design was chosen for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic emblem.

Technique catalog · draft for review

Every way to wrap, carry and wear a furoshiki.

The furoshiki.com archive, sliced into annotated steps with plain directions, plus techniques found in research.