Eternal Interlace

At Karacho, there exists a pattern known as “Kakutsunagi,” 
passed down through generations since the Edo period.

Rooted in the form of braided cords, 
this endlessly interwoven motif expresses a view of life and death— 
a continuous cycle of birth, death, and renewal, 
symbolizing transformation and prosperity.

Since ancient times, knots and twists have been believed 
to hold or embody a special, unseen power. 
With its unbroken sequence of interlaced forms, 
this pattern is itself a prayer for connection— 
a wish for bonds to endure, and for life to continue.

Motifs inspired by braided forms can be found across the world. 
They appear in Celtic culture and historic works such as the Book of Kells. 
Across more than two thousand years, 
and across the vast Eurasian continent, 
similar meanings emerge in both Japan at the eastern edge 
and Ireland at the western edge.

Through karakami, I have long sought to express this truth— 
that the world is deeply connected, 
beyond nations, cultures, and time.

This pattern was born through my encounter with 
the Irish Peter MacMillan. 
He discovered in Ireland old motifs strikingly similar to “Kakutsunagi,” 
and I felt an immediate resonance with his proposal.

Inspired by this connection, 
I created a new pattern in dialogue with motifs linked to Ireland, 
and named it “Eternal Interlace.”

This work is one of the one hundred new woodblocks 
created for the “One Hundred Patterns of Heisei and Reiwa” project— 
an initiative to pass down one hundred patterns and their stories 
to Kyoto one hundred years into the future.

For this piece, two different karakami patterns were created 
and combined within a single panel, 
forming one unified artwork.

This work is conceived upon two ideas:

– A testament that the world is connected beyond nations, cultures, and time 
– A symbol of cultural exchange between East and West in the present age

And above all, 
it is created as a gesture symbolizing friendship with Ireland.

Through the beauty of karakami, 
I offer a prayer— 
for the friendship between our two countries, 
and for peace in the world.

April 2026 
Choemon Senda

Additional Note
This work has been placed in the entrance of the Embassy of Ireland in Japan. 
I am deeply grateful that it will continue to exist there 
as a celebration of our friendship and artistic collaboration.