THE MEANINGS WOVEN IN
巴
tomoe
A wish to come round and meet again, even after parting.
Swirling Commas
Journeys and returns →01
Where it comes from
Tomoe is a round head with a long, curving tail, turning as it goes. The name comes from its likeness to the tomo, a piece of archery gear, and it is also said to be drawn from the crest of a wave. Tails can turn left or right, and two or three can be set turning together, as futatsudomoe and mitsudomoe. The word itself has been used for things that turn in a circle, and for three things caught up with one another.
02
On the cloth
As a crest, tomoe has long been set in a circle, a form also called tomoe no maru. A Noh text from the medieval period lists the crests of several men, the tomoe among them. An old war tale even speaks of a writing brush with tomoe painted on its shaft.
03
To give
Tomoe suits a parting that is not an ending: someone moving away, or setting out for a while. It is for a person you hope to see come round again.
A word to keep
三つ巴
mitsudomoe
Three tomoe turning together. Also said of three things caught up with one another.
Two questions
What wish can the Swirling Commas (巴) pattern carry?
A wish to come round and meet again, even after parting. Tomoe suits a parting that is not an ending: someone moving away, or setting out for a while.
Where does the 巴 pattern come from?
Tomoe is a round head with a long, curving tail, turning as it goes. The name comes from its likeness to the tomo, a piece of archery gear, and it is also said to be drawn from the crest of a wave.
