The Changing Role of Letters in the Pattern Structure of Kimono in Edo Period

Abstract

During the early to mid-Edo period, patterns using letters became popular. These patterns mixed characters with pictorial patterns. On the other hand, a pattern known as a “Hogo-zome Moyou” appeared in the middle and latter half of the Edo period. This pattern, which can now be seen almost exclusively in paintings, is characterized by the fact that the entire pattern is composed of characters alone. This study examines the role of characters in the composition of a design through a comparison of the text pattern and the Hogo-zome Moyou.