Vase Mat (S) (inomemon)

The heart-shaped pattern is called "I-no-me" because it resembles an eye of wild boar, and it was often used on the decorative devices o f doors and other equipments of temples and shrines. Wild boar had been dei fied as an amulet and warding off evil by its strong impression conveyed by the eyes, and thought as a messenger of fire prevention and an administrator of fortune. "Menuki", ornamental cover of rivet to connect sword hilt and sword blade, had been developed with the passage of time to the chief decoration of sword handle, and many designs of wild boar worked extremely de licate technique have been seen on the "Menuki". We have composed a design by vertically placing wavy pattern of metal fittings of "I-no-me (wild boar eye)", and wild boar seen in "Menuki" of a sword in the center, and have woven into warp-patterned brocade.