Pine-bark diamond

松皮菱 matsukawa bishi

Pine-bark diamond

A large diamond with smaller diamonds above and below, like flaking pine bark; the pine's evergreen longevity makes it auspicious, good for New Year and celebrations.

Popular in the Momoyama and early Edo periods

A stepped diamond (also nakabuto-bishi) whose edges recall flaking pine bark. It was especially fashionable in the Momoyama period on tsujigahana-dyed kosode and noh costumes, and from at least the 17th century it decorated temple roof ridges and kumiko latticework. It also became a family crest and was used in samurai dress.

Common as a frame for other motifs on formal kimono and as a celebratory pattern.

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.