市松模様(いちまつもよう)

いちまつもよう
noun
checkerboard pattern; checkered pattern
artculture
1. checkerboard pattern; checkered pattern
A pattern of squares of two alternating colors, like a chessboard. Used on kimono cloth, floor tiles, wrapping paper, and design work generally.
市松模様(いちまつもよう)の床(ゆか)。
A checkerboard-patterned floor.
市松模様(いちまつもよう)の着物(きもの)を着(き)た女性(じょせい)が歩(ある)いていた。
A woman in a checkered kimono was walking by.
東京(とうきょう)オリンピックのエンブレムには藍色(あいいろ)の市松模様(いちまつもよう)が使(つか)われ、日本(にほん)らしい意匠(いしょう)だと話題(わだい)になった。
The Tokyo Olympics emblem used an indigo checkerboard pattern, and it drew attention as a distinctly Japanese design.

Formed from 市松(いちまつ) + 模様(もよう) (pattern). The name comes from the Edo-period kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu, who wore hakama in this pattern on stage and made it fashionable.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • チェック: check, plaid — the loanword, used mainly for woven cloth patterns with crossing lines
  • 縞模様(しまもよう): stripe pattern — parallel lines rather than alternating squares

Related Words

Compare: チェック (check, plaid)
Compare: 縞模様(しまもよう) (stripe pattern)
Compare: 格子模様(こうしもよう) (checkered pattern)
Compare: 格子縞(こうしじま) (check pattern)
general
Added 2026.7.26 21:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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