Souran
The Heisei Reiwa no Hyakumonyo Project(woodblock publicized in August 2020)
Succession, lucky omen, world peace
A legendary spiritual bird that would eventually become the phoenix, the luan is said to appear when a well-mannered monarch occupies the throne and the world is at peace. This pattern features the mythical luan accompanied by reishi clouds, which are also harbingers of good luck. The luan is a lucky omen celebrating succession, making it a suitable symbol for the transition from the Heisei to the Reiwa eras. This pattern was created in collaboration with the MIHO MUSEUM and is based on the Tang dynasty Souran (dual luan) mirror from the museum’s collection.
Description by Karakamishi Toto Akihiko