THE MEANINGS WOVEN IN
籠目
kagome
A wish to keep bad things at a distance.
Woven Basket
01
Where it comes from
This is the weave of a bamboo basket, with strips crossing in three directions. The open spaces form many small eyes, and it has long been said that such a watchful shape keeps evil away. Baskets like this were once hung at the entrance of a house for that reason. Where the strips cross, a six-pointed star appears.
02
On the cloth
On obi, kagome may be a fine lattice behind other motifs, or open wide so each hexagon holds a small pattern. Here it meets tortoise-shell hexagons and leaves in gold, on black and vermilion.
03
To give
Kagome suits a new home, or someone setting out on a long trip. It is a gift that quietly says, may you be kept safe.
