Part of the “Japanese Patterns” series, this volume explores the origins and evolution of the arabesque motif known as “karakusa.” With roots in ancient Egypt and Greece, the motif traveled via the Silk Road to China and entered Japanese art around the late Kofun period. The book presents diverse patterns—grape, peony, and lotus arabesques—and their application in Buddhist art, tea utensils, textiles, and architectural ornamentation. The flowing, continuous lines symbolize longevity and prosperity, making karakusa a familiar motif in daily items like furoshiki and kimono.
