THE MEANINGS WOVEN IN
唐草
karakusa
A wish for good things to keep growing, without a break.
Arabesque Vine
Fortune that grows →01
Where it comes from
Karakusa is a vine that curls and branches, reaching on and on without an end. It came a long way from the west, through China, to Japan; kara is written with the character for Tang China, though some say the name comes from karami-gusa, tangling grass. Because the vine keeps stretching, it has carried a wish for long life and for prosperity that goes on. In Japan the green and white karakusa furoshiki, a cloth for wrapping and carrying, is a familiar sight.
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On the cloth
On obi, karakusa may run as a fine vine behind flowers, or open into large curling scrolls. Here it winds with linked circles and leaves in vermilion, black, gold, and white; and on silver grey, it blooms into flower medallions with grey and vermilion.
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To give
Karakusa suits a long marriage, a growing business, or a friendship of many years. It is a gift for someone whose good days you hope will keep reaching forward.
A word to keep
唐草
karakusa
Kara grass. Kara is written with the character for Tang China, and kusa means grass and plants. Some say the name comes from karami-gusa, tangling grass.
Two questions
What does the Arabesque Vine (唐草) pattern mean?
A wish for good things to keep growing, without a break. Karakusa suits a long marriage, a growing business, or a friendship of many years.
Where does the 唐草 pattern come from?
Karakusa is a vine that curls and branches, reaching on and on without an end. It came a long way from the west, through China, to Japan; kara is written with the character for Tang China, though some say the name comes from karami-gusa, tangling grass.
