Shippomon

A figure in which a circumference is divided into four equal parts by circular arcs. A type of ring connection. When this is used as a unit pattern and is connected in all four directions, it is called "shippo tsunagi." There are two types: a purely geometric figure and one in which small circles are placed at the intersections of the circular arcs. The latter is a pattern that imitates a mesh, and the small circles are also said to be traces of the knots in the net. In Japan, shippo tsunagi, which can be seen in Nishiki and Kokkechi (Nara period) among the Shosoin treasures, is ancient, and this lineage has been passed down to woven patterns from the Heian period onwards. Even in the early modern period, it was mainly used as a dyed and woven pattern, but many unit patterns are also used for pull handles and nail covers.

[Muramoto Yu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

円周を円孤によって4等分した図形のこと。輪つなぎの一種。これを単位文様として、四方に連続させたものを「七宝つなぎ」とよんでいる。純然たる幾何学的図形と、円孤の接点に小円を置いたものの2種がある。後者は網目を写した文様で、小円は網の結び目の痕跡(こんせき)ともいわれる。日本では正倉院宝物のなかの錦(にしき)や纐纈(こうけち)（奈良時代）にみられる七宝つなぎが古く、この系統は平安時代以後の有織(ゆうそく)文様に受け継がれる。近世以後もおもに染織文様として使われたが、引手や釘隠(くぎかく)しにもこの単位文様をかたどったものが多い。

［村元雄］

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