THE MEANINGS WOVEN IN
檜垣
higaki
A wish for modest, steady days, woven close like a fence of thin boards.
Cypress Fence
Calm days →01
Where it comes from
A fence woven from thin boards of hinoki cypress set on the slant is called a higaki. The pattern follows its weave: slanting oblongs crossing one another, each skipping two at a time. It belongs with ajiro, the woven wicker pattern, and ajiro itself is sometimes called higaki. Weaving and joining are among the oldest work of human hands, and some patterns are thought to have grown out of that work of putting things together.
02
On the cloth
In a Heian tale a higaki fence marks a modest life, while in Noh it marks a prosperous one. Because it was such a familiar fence, the pattern often keeps the look of a real fence, and a Muromachi diary records a robe with a higaki ground scattered with kudzu leaves. Noh robes also pair higaki with plants such as cherry, maple, or nandina.
03
To give
Higaki suits someone settling into a place of their own, or someone who makes things by hand. It is for someone you hope will have days that are modest, and sure.
A word to keep
組む
kumu
To join by crossing, over and under, into one shape. Some patterns were born from this work of the hands.
Two questions
What does the Cypress Fence (檜垣) pattern mean?
A wish for modest, steady days, woven close like a fence of thin boards. Higaki suits someone settling into a place of their own, or someone who makes things by hand.
Where does the 檜垣 pattern come from?
A fence woven from thin boards of hinoki cypress set on the slant is called a higaki. The pattern follows its weave: slanting oblongs crossing one another, each skipping two at a time.
