Motif: sakura, ume & take

[Ray Singer]

I was asked by a friend about the meaning of this design in which cherry blossom, plum blossom and bamboo are interwoven. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

Kind regards,

Ray

 

[Stephen]

Off the top of my head. the trinity?

[BIG]

I read in some book, the three plants are known as three friends in bad cold weather. They withstand the cold standing for:

healhty and longevous, upright and unyielding or honest and clean..

 

Best

[Ray Singer]

Thanks so much. This led me to the passage below.

 

松竹梅

 

The kanji that make up shochikubai include matsu (pine) take (bamboo) and ume (plum blossom). The name comes from the Chinese reading of the characters instead of the Japanese reading (sho=pine, chiku=bamboo, and bai=plum blossom). This combination is known as the “Three Friends of Winter.” It’s a very auspicious combination, and although all the motifs are associated with winter (or the announcement of spring in the case of ume), it can be used year round.

 

 

[Ray Singer]

A very different execution of these motif in a tsuba by Akasaka Tadatoki.