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Here I gather motifs that are not quite yet a fixed scroll expression, 御銘 or defined textile patterns; but still appear frequently as 蒔絵, for example, or in 禅 bonmots.
- Legend has it that the rat was first because he hitched a ride on the ox who was in the lead, but jumped off the ox and became the first animal of the zodiac. (According to issoan)
唐松
Chinese pine, which can have the needles either all protrude from the center or from the main branches:
四君子
Read にしくんし, the four gentlemen representing the four seasons: Plum, orchid (蘭), bamboo and chrysanthemum.
歳寒三友
Read as さいかん の さんゆう, the 3 friends of the end of winter. They are plum, peach and cherry blossoms: first two held in high regards by Chinese as signs of eternity; latter one on one hand has to do with vanity and death, and on the other hand with the Japanese trying to establish their cultural independence.
月
- The full moon is often seen as a representation of enlightenment.
- However, it is more usually represented slightly obscured. Even the moon is displeasing without clouds, said 村田珠光.
- The autumn moon is considered particularly beautiful, often depicted with geese (雁).
- The Japanese see a rabbit pounding もち where we see a man in the moon.