[Now, on to Paris!]

The Paris Olympics are finally approaching. Do you remember the ichimatsu pattern used in the emblem of the last Tokyo Olympics? The combination of three differently shaped rectangles was intended to convey the message of "diversity and harmony" that transcends differences in countries, cultures, and ideologies. The Japanese national rugby team's uniforms also incorporate the "asanoha" and "tatewaku" patterns, and children may naturally recognize them as the patterns on the kimonos and haori of the characters in the recent "鬼滅の刃 (Kimetsu no Yaiba)".

At this year's Paris Olympics, the Japanese pattern "yagasuri" appears firmly as a "Yagasuri Graphic" on the T-shirts worn by Japanese athletes at competition venues and in the athletes' village. The history of Japanese patterns seems to date back to the Jomon period, when human nails, shells, and ropes were used to draw patterns on earthenware such as jars and plates. Later, various patterns originating in ancient Egypt, Greece, China, and other foreign countries were introduced to Japan, and patterns adapted from them were created.

Yagasuri is one of these patterns and refers to a kasuri fabric with an arrow-feather pattern based on the white feathers on the top of a bow and arrow. Since arrows were an important weapon for warriors to survive on the battlefield, arrow kasuri was often used in warriors' costumes and family crests. It is one of the patterns that you may have seen often. For us, the image of this pattern is from the Taisho Romantic manga "はいからさんが通る (Haikarasan ga Toru)." When used on graduation hakama, the arrow feathers are used to express the wish that the student will "go straight ahead in society." When people got married, they used arrow feathers as accessories, hoping that they would live happily without turning back. I am sure that the Japanese athletes will also move forward positively and powerfully into the world. We are rooting for them.

You can also enjoy Japanese patterns in our products. Hirota Glass's Edo Kiriko "Futachoko" has a delicate and gorgeous red-faceted design. It is also popular among overseas customers. The "patterns" that have become a part of our daily lives. I wonder if this is also a pattern. We are sure that you will find them in your home as well.

Hirota Glass's Edo Kiriko "Futachoko" Ichimatsu
https://www.shokunin.com/en/hirota/futachoko.html

References
https://www.maimu.co.jp/contents/hakama/42140/
https://www.joc.or.jp/news/20240417034468.html
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/202212/202212_01_jp.html
https://japanshopping.org/ja/search/shops/detail/26085