What the heck? — maybe you know what this is
By now, you may have noticed that I am not an expert in Japanese design and iconography. There’s a lot I don’t know. For this curated presentation of katagami I have brought together confusing and mysterious images, strategies and objects.
Who are the weird clowny guys with the circles? What’s with storm gods? What are the foxes doing in monk’s robes? How do you play the clamshell game? On what occasion do you give abalone strip bouquets? Sure, I hang things from trees, too, but why pictures of vegetables? And why writing? What does it say? And then there are tea towels. Is the one with the mouse eating diakon delighting in radish or mice?
For that matter, if you know what any of the shop signs are, tell me! Maybe they’re not shop signs at all. I probably got some things wrong. Either way, let me know.
