kikusuimon　菊水文

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

A design depicting chrysanthemums floating on a river. In China it is associated with longevity, probably in connection with the belief in a medicinal type chrysanthemum which when it falls into a certain stream, allows those who habitually drink from it to live to an advanced age. However, a book concerning Chinese legends, the Feng Su Tong 風俗通, states that traditionally a chrysanthemum near the water was thought to have occult power. The design first came to Japan during the Kamakura period when it was used on bronze mirrors, lacquer and dyed textiles. In the Edo period it was used on *kosode 小袖 and *nou 能 garments. Since the 14c, it has been best known as the pattern found on the crest of the Kusunoki 楠 family.

REFERENCES:

*kisshoumon 吉祥文

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NOTES:

(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.　No reproduction or republication without written permission. 掲載のテキスト・写真・イラストなど、全てのコンテンツの無断複製・転載を禁じます。