Wagara means traditional Japanese patterns that are arranged in an orderly manner. These patterns were created during the Heian period (795-1185) by combining elements of painting and Chinese calligraphy. It is a traditional design that can only be found in Japan.

Japanese patterns are attracting attention because the characters of the popular anime "鬼滅の刃（Kimetsu no Yaiba）" are wearing Japanese patterned kimonos.

There are countless types of Japanese patterns even today. Here, we will introduce the origins and meanings of typical Japanese patterns.

1. 麻の葉（Asanoha）; Hemp leaf. It is a pattern that imitates the shape of a hemp leaf by arranging hexagons in a regular pattern. Since hemp has a strong vitality and grows straight, large, and fast without much care, it is a pattern that means “health” and “growth”. It also has the meaning of "amulet".

2. 三崩し（Sankuzushi）; It is a pattern in which three lines are arranged vertically and horizontally like a stone pavement. If it is four lines, it is called "4-kuzushi", and if it is five lines, it is called "5-kuzushi". Even today, it is used for floors and wallpaper.

3. 霞（Kasumi）; Haze. It is a pattern that stylized the appearance of haze like the letter "エ". It is said that it has the meaning of "eternity" because it appears and disappears.

4. 青海波（Seigaiha）;  Blue sea waves. It is a pattern that expresses waves by connecting semicircles in three layers. The never-ending wave pattern is a wish for an "eternal future."

5. 檜垣（Higaki）; It is a pattern of a fence made by weaving thin cypress boards diagonally like "Ajiro". "Ajiro" is a device in which bamboo or wood is woven and placed in the water instead of a net to catch fish. It has a meaning such as "good health".

6. 鱗（Uroko）; Scale of snake. It is a pattern in which triangles are arranged alternately and continuously. Since ancient times, triangles have been said to have the power to ward off evil spirits, and because they resemble scales that protect living creatures, they have the meaning of ”warding off evil spirits”. Since snakes with scales molt repeatedly, they also have the meaning of "regeneration".

7. 亀甲（Kikkou）; Turtle shell. A continuous regular hexagon represents the turtle shell. Since the long-lived turtle is a motif, it has been handed down from ancient times as a pattern representing "longevity".

8. 籠目（Kagome）; It represents the mesh of a basket woven with bamboo. If you look closely at the eyes of the basket, you can see that the shape of the star is continuous, but this star is called "Rokubosei" and is said to have the meaning of "talisman" and "talisman against evil" in Onmyodo. 

9. 七宝（Shippou）; Seven treasures. It is a pattern in which circles of the same size are stacked one quarter at a time. By expressing the endless chain of eternity, it has the meaning of wishing for the richness of human relationships such as "prosperity", "harmony".

10. 市松（Ichimatu）; Checkered. It is a pattern that consists of alternately arranging squares of two different colors. It means "prosperity" and "expansion of business" because the continuous square continues without interruption. The emblem of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics is also based on the checkered pattern.

11. 矢絣（Yagasuri）; Arrow pattern. It is a pattern representing the wings of a bird attached to the top of the arrow. Since the Edo period, the arrows that were shot do not return, so the bride was sometimes given a kimono with a pattern of arrow feathers, with the meaning of "not divorce and not to come back".

12. 紗綾型（Sayagata）; If you transform and continue the character "卍", it becomes a "Sayagata". Originally, the swastika is a character used as an auspicious sign in Hinduism and Buddhism, and has the meaning of "prosperity" and "longevity".

In the past, the Japanese wore kimono as a form of casual wear. But of late, they no longer wear the kimono, only for formal and special occasions. The kimono industry and makers begin to decline and to bring back it's appeal, they started making other products that incorporated traditional Japanese designs such as bags, pouches, and clothes. The perception of Wagara has since evolved and has notably improved. It was once considered to be old-fashioned but now it is considered unique and elegant. 

Shitamachi-Coaster strives to incorporate traditional design while recognizing the need for modern and classic design.