The backstory of the Asanoha kimono motif

The Asanoha kimono pattern and its backstory

You might have seen this Asanoha motif on a kimono. This clever Japanese textile pattern became wildly popular in the early 19th century and you might like its backstory.

A Kabuki actor called Iwai Hanshiro the Fifth played the role of a girl called Oshichi in 1809. Oshichi was the daughter of a veggie store in Edo City. Unfortunately one day, their whole neighborhood was burnt down by fire so they evacuated to a local temple. During their stay at the temple, Oshichi met a handsome young temple staffer called Kichisaburō and they became intimate quickly.

But when their shop was restored, Oshichi had to move out of the temple, and she missed her boyfriend dearly. So one day, she thought, “If there’s another fire…”

Arson was punishable by death in Edo because the whole city was made of wood. Oshichi was arrested and was executed by burning at the stake 😢.

Romantic relationships were typically frowned upon during this time because arranged marriages were the norm. So young women were like, “Hell yeah!” to the story that reflected their resentment toward restrictions on the freedom of love.

The kimono that Hanshiro wore on stage was patterned with Asanoha, and the women of Edo scrambled to get the same kimono.

The Asanoha motif takes inspiration from hemp leaves. Hemp leaves grow straight and strong, perfect for lionhearted souls like yourself ☺️!

Follow the creator of this beautiful Blue Asanoha Vintage Tsumugi Jacket,
▶︎ Made by: Upcycled kimono MADE BY YUKI

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▶︎ Hi, I’m Kyota, the author of Amazon Best Sellers [Folk Tales of Japan], [Underdogs of Japanese History], and [Horror Tales of Japan].

#japanesefashion #japan #japanesehistory #kabuki #japanesepattern #japanstyle #kimono #kimonostyle

[owlsoda]

Ah this pattern probably has a sweet back story behind it~
...
Arson! burned at the stake?!

[smokeandglory]

"Perfect for lion hearted souls like *yourself*" This line delivery was so intense it made me feel a surge of confidence.

[cervy]

you telling me that kimono has a weed pattern? hell yeah brother

[Keaton.]

"what if there was another fire"
That's psychopathy. lol

[kyriechandler]

Nezuko-Chan has that same kimono pattern! 😮

[zero_prfctn]

You look like a professional model in the pictures at the end of the short

[thetruecrystalvixen]

I always think 'Ooo, the pretty cube flower pattern'.

And you give me 'This man could be some version of Doctor Who.' vibes.

[poephila]

I love these motifs, especially when they are done in sashiko! 😊

[tranphuongnhi]

I majored in Japanese Studies in Vietnam, and I wrote a graduation thesis talking about the traditional patterns (on textile) of Japan.

I included this Asa no ha friend and knew that it depicts the hemp leaf, but who would've thought that it has this kind of backstory LOL. Thank you for the funny and helpful video as always!

[Notauckland]

"What if there was another fire?"
I agree.

[kieranwalker]

I really love how easy you make learning thanks i love japan ❤

[yudeok]

You should rent a corgi for your next shoot. I don't know why, but the vibe is just right.

[imjustaghostO.O]

those pictures are so nice!!
you are very photogenic 😎⭐️

[Zichqec]

"and they burned her at the stake"
i was hoping that was gonna be followed up with "which caused the whole town to burn down"

[chellebethel]

Arson out of I would do anything for love, but I won't do that! 😅🫶🏻 Love the little fashion show at the end. 🥰❤️

[MountainLWolf]

Omg! That Cedar forest behind you! Beautiful! I know everyone is into bamboo, but I can't wait for the cedar!

[DrBreyn]

what beautiful background!
Would enjoy occasional outside shorts!

[its.zariaaa]

I didn't know a motif had that deep of a backstory. Thank you Kyota-san! I learned something new today ✧⁠◝⁠(⁠⁰⁠▿⁠⁰⁠)⁠◜⁠✧

[xStarlitBreathX]

As always, a very interesting video, and goodness, but you look very handsome modeling in that jacket! ❤

[joaolucasfraga]

I mean, imagine a society that leads people to go "Let's cosplay as the arsonist!"