Kikkou is an interlocking and repeating motif made up of hexagons. It is commonly seen on Mens Kimono and some womens Iromuji. The pattern is said to be representative of longevity and intelligence.[1][2] It is said the top side represents Heaven, the bottom side of a turtle the Earth.[5] Popular variations include the Kikkou Hanabishi (4 Petalled-flower Tortoiseshell) and Bishamon Kikko (3 Leaf Tortoiseshell), both of which are often used to decorate Men's obi. Another less popular variation is the Arare Hikkou (Hailstone Tortoiseshell) which denotes the wish for longevity.[4]
The association between Heaven and Earth and Turtlekind comes from Chinese creation myth which tell of the Turtle Ao ( 鳌 | Rad Turtle Lord Dude) who lived in the Bohai Sea. When Nuwa, the Chinese mother goddess and creator of mankind, repaired the sky to connect Earth to Heaven, she dissaembled Ao and used him as a footstool we'll say in a sort of DIY repair job, or Bi Xi (Half dragon, Half turtle, fully Chinese fursona) who could carry great weights on his back.[7] The Chinese Legend of the Four guardian beasts, specifically the protective Black Tortoise (Xuanwu), stem from the Chinese Han dynasty in 220 AD.[6] Taoist myth also holds that a northern Chinese Princeling, hailed as the incarnation of the Xuanwu wished to renounce his crown and instead became a Taoist priest, eventually in his wisdom becoming divine, ascending to the Heavenly realm and was worshipped as a Northern Chinese deity. Also something about atoning demon snake intestines who become his sidekick mountains.[6] With the influence of the greater Tianchao (天朝 | Celestial) Court, turtles were therefore images of heaven, wisdom and power by the time of the great Tang Dynasty in 626AD at the Xuanwu Gate which celebrated the protective and wise brother killing King Li Shimin.[6]
Since the Heian era (794AD) therefore, having being brought over from Western China, turtles and Kikkou began to appear on womens garments in Japan.[3] Adapted from the Black Tortoise of Chinese Myth which when localised, had the Black Tortoise (now Genbu) protecting the capital city of Kyoto instead from the North. Over time, this immortal Minogame ( 蓑亀 | Turtle) who protected Japan presumably, began growing a tail of seaweed. Due to his long life and connection to Heaven, he symbolizes immortality, good luck and protection.[8] Yoshinawa Fuyako (善縄大屋子) of Okinawa, was said to have been bitten by a Minogame, and died. However becuase it was Minogame, instead of dying, he became the immortal offspring of the Turtle Vampires. In the Edo period (1603-1868), the pattern also became pattern and this popularity endures to the present day in the Kikkou pattern as symbol of long life, protection and prosperity, notably in the Urashima Taro.[9]
Bibliography
[1] https://mangadejapan.com/articles/detail/244
[2] https://duendebymadamzozo.com/traditional-japanese-patterns/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-pug
[3] https://kirikomade.com/blogs/our-fabrics/japanese-patterns-1
[4] https://www.susanbriscoe.com/product-page/h-2031-sashiko-panel-arare-kikkou-traditional-pattern
[5] https://www.thejapaneseshop.co.uk/blog/japanese-symbolic-animals-meanings/
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Tortoise
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ao_(turtle)
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_depictions_of_turtles#Japan
[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urashima_Tar%C5%8D
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