麻の葉 Asano-ha

Overview

Asanoha is a six-fold star geometry that echoes the leaf of the hemp plant — one of the most recognisable of all Japanese patterns (wagara).

麻の葉は六角形を基にした星形の幾何文様。麻は丈夫でまっすぐ育つことから、子の健やかな成長を願って産着などに用いられた。

History & origin

Built on a triangular grid, asanoha appears in Buddhist statuary of the Heian period and became hugely popular during the Edo period, when it was woven and dyed into everyday cloth. Its strict geometry made it a favourite for both formal kimono and humble workwear.

Symbolism & meaning

Hemp grows quickly, straight and strong without much care, so the motif carries a wish for a child to grow up healthy and resilient. For that reason it was a classic choice for babies' first kimono and swaddling cloth.

Traditional use

You will still find asanoha on kimono, noren curtains, washi paper and ceramics. Its calm, repeating star reads as both traditional and surprisingly modern, which is why it suits a phone background so well.

Set it as your wallpaper