Tortoise shell pattern - Kikkomon

A type of geometric pattern based on a hexagon. It is so named because it resembles the shell of a turtle. A single hexagon is called a hexagonal shape, and when it is connected vertically and horizontally, it is called a hexagonal shape. It is more often used as a connected pattern than as a standalone pattern. It seems that this pattern has been used in Japan since the Kofun period, but it is likely that it was introduced from Korea. After the Heian period, patterns with chrysanthemums, cranes, Chinese flowers, etc. embedded inside hexagons appeared and were widely used as dyeing and weaving patterns. There are many other variations, such as the Komochi Kikko, which is made up of two sets of hexagons, one large and one small, stacked on top of each other, the Hanabishi Kikko with a diamond pattern inside the hexagon, and the Bishamon Kikko, which is made up of three hexagons combined together.

[Muramoto Yu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

六角形を基本とした幾何学文様の一種。カメの甲らに似ているところからこの名がある。六角形単独のものを亀甲形といい、上下左右に続けたものを亀形つなぎとよぶ。単独としてよりむしろ連結文様として多く使用されている。日本では古墳時代からこの文様が使われていたようだが、おそらく朝鮮から伝来したものであろう。平安時代からのち、六角形内部にキク（菊）、ツル（鶴）、唐花などをはめ込んだ文様が現れ、染織文様として幅広く使われた。ほかに大小2組の亀甲を重ねた子持ち亀甲、亀甲の中に花菱(はなびし)のある花菱亀甲、亀甲を三つ組み合わせた毘沙門(びしゃもん)亀甲などさまざまな変化形がある。

［村元雄］

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