Take
Contents
| Motif Information | |
|---|---|
| |
| Rōmaji | Take |
| English | Bamboo |
| Kanji | 竹 |
| Kana | たけ |
| Season | All-Season |
| Seasonal Exceptions | None |
| Auspicious | Sometimes |
| Motif Type | Plant |
| Pronounciation | |
| {{{10}}} | |
Take means bamboo. It is also called chiku.
Take has been used since ancient times in Japan for a variety of applications. Take can be made into fences, writing brushes, tea whisks, boxes, and flutes, among others. The shoots, takenoko, are edible once boiled.
Seasonal Use, Exceptions & Pairings
Take is evergreen and makes a beautiful contrast against snow. Its evergreen nature is used to represent undying devotion.[1] The idea of constancy is further found in the kanji for the node of take's stem, 節 (setsu), which also can mean integrity or fidelity.[2]
Auspicious Nature
Bamboo grows quickly, straight up and may bend without breaking, all desirable character attributes. The imagery of a tiger in a bamboo grove is a metaphor for the strong needing to take refuge among the weak.
Common Motif Pairings
- Sparrows- referred to as take-suzume
- Snow- referred to as yuki-mochi-zasa [3]
- Sho-chiku-bai- paired with ume and matsu
- Shikunshi- paired with kiku, ume, and ran
Variations
- Sasa (笹, ささ) are bamboo leaves. They can appear alone without the stalk.
- Sasa-rindo (笹竜胆) is another name for gentian. It is not bamboo, although the leaves look the same. [4]
- Takenoko (筍, 竹の子) is a bamboo shoot. It is a symbol of filial piety.[5]
Motif Examples
| NOTE: See more relevant images in our corresponding gallery. |
Detail of take grove on Heisei shioze Nagoya obi from the collection of Muhvi
Take hōmongi from the collection of Stepan-san
Detail of sasa on Nagoya obi from the collection of FabricMagpie
Motif in Literature & Other Usage
Where possible - try to find examples of motif in literature, art and real life. If you are unable to find an example - remove this section.
In Poetry
Article Notes
Relevant Threads / Discussions
References
- ↑ Atsuharu Sakai. Japan in a Nutshell, Vol. 1. Yamagata Printing Co. Yokohama. 1949. p. 242.
- ↑ Allen, Maude Rex. Japanese Art Motives. A. C. McClurg & Company, Great Britain. 1917. p.8.
- ↑ Kimono Flea Market Ichiroya's Newsletter No.382.
- ↑ Discussion on Sasa-rindo
- ↑ Takenoko
Image Credits
- FabricMagpie
- Miu
- Muhvi
- Stepan-san
Authors & Contributors
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