Kanoko (Fawn)

Kanoko translates to “fawn” in English, getting its name from the pattern’s similarity to the mottled appearance of a baby deer’s fur. Deer have been revered as messengers of the gods since ancient times in Japan, and are also considered a symbol of prosperity of offspring due to their vitality and fertility. Historically, the kanoko design has been famously associated with shibori, a labor-intensive method of tie-dye where every single dot is individually tied before dye is applied. The smaller the dots and the more intricate the design, the more complex and time-consuming the process required to create, which made the pattern largely exclusive to the nobility and aristocracy during the Heian period (794-1185). Today, although textured kanoko shibori fabric is less commonly seen due to the laborious process, the charming visual motif of kanoko has carried on and remains popular in various forms of Japanese art and design.