Japanese Pattern Quiz compatibility chart
For each of the 8 patterns, two that are easy to be with and one that may clash. A clash does not mean either side is wrong — they simply value different things.
Asanoha (Hemp Leaf)
- Easy together Kikko (Tortoiseshell) Kikko also links things together with straight lines, leaving no gaps. As Asanoha grows toward where it's heading, Kikko firms up the ground underfoot — “This much is done” — so what you've built doesn't easily fall apart.
- Easy together Karakusa (Arabesque Vines) Karakusa also links things together as it heads toward where it's growing. To Asanoha's lines, which follow the plan, Karakusa adds detours that fit the moment, so even when you hit a dead end, another way can be found.
- May clash Seigaiha (Blue Ocean Waves) Seigaiha goes with the moment, handling things one at a time and carrying on with no set end. Asanoha wants to lay out its steps, link things up and head for a destination; Seigaiha wants to carry on calmly in one place — so you tend to differ both in how you proceed and in where you draw the line.
Kikko (Tortoiseshell)
- Easy together Asanoha (Hemp Leaf) Asanoha also links things together with straight lines. Kikko tends to keep repeating the same shape, and Asanoha points the way — “Next, up to here” — giving what you've kept up a new milestone.
- Easy together Ichimatsu (Checkerboard) Ichimatsu also keeps a set shape going at the same steady pace, on and on. Kikko wants to connect things and Ichimatsu wants to separate them, so you build in different ways — but you both stick to the plan, so once you've split up the roles, things move quickly.
- May clash Chidori (Plovers) Chidori goes with the moment and flies lightly toward its destination, one thing at a time. To Kikko, who wants to link up a set shape and hold it for a long time, Chidori's movements look restless, and to Chidori, Kikko's way of doing things can feel like a frame that won't budge.
Yagasuri (Arrow Feathers)
- Easy together Ichimatsu (Checkerboard) Ichimatsu also breaks things into separate pieces and moves by the plan. To Yagasuri, who tends to rush ahead, Ichimatsu adds the reliability of keeping at the same pace, so fewer gaps are left behind after you've moved on.
- Easy together Chidori (Plovers) Chidori also heads lightly for a destination, one thing at a time. Put Yagasuri, who goes by the plan, next to Chidori, who can change direction on the spot, and even with the same destination, you have more options for how to get there.
- May clash Shippo (Seven Treasures) Shippo changes shape to suit the moment, linking things together and layering the same circles endlessly. Yagasuri wants to split things up and head straight for its destination; Shippo wants to link its circles and carry on in the same place — so neither your way of moving nor your direction tends to mesh.
Ichimatsu (Checkerboard)
- Easy together Yagasuri (Arrow Feathers) Yagasuri also breaks things into separate pieces and moves by the plan. Ichimatsu wants to keep the same arrangement going, and Yagasuri points the way — “Next, up to here” — so what you've kept up moves a step forward.
- Easy together Seigaiha (Blue Ocean Waves) Seigaiha also keeps each shape intact and carries on with no set end. Seigaiha gently adjusts Ichimatsu's plan-keeping arrangement to fit the moment, so keeping at it doesn't feel confining.
- May clash Karakusa (Arabesque Vines) Karakusa goes with the moment, linking things together and reaching toward where it wants to grow. To Ichimatsu, who wants to separate things and keep the same arrangement going, the way Karakusa spreads looks like it has no end in sight, and to Karakusa, Ichimatsu's arrangement can feel like it's blocking the way forward.
Karakusa (Arabesque Vines)
- Easy together Shippo (Seven Treasures) Shippo also links things together to suit the moment. Shippo keeps tying Karakusa's growing vines down with the same circles again and again, so what you've spread out doesn't fall apart.
- Easy together Asanoha (Hemp Leaf) Asanoha also links things together and heads toward a destination. Karakusa tends to curl off on detours, and Asanoha draws a straight plan for it, so the direction you're growing in becomes clear.
- May clash Ichimatsu (Checkerboard) Ichimatsu separates things and keeps up the steps it's set at the same steady pace. Karakusa wants to grow by linking things to suit the moment; Ichimatsu wants to keep a neat arrangement — so you tend to clash both in how you proceed and in how you spread out.
Shippo (Seven Treasures)
- Easy together Karakusa (Arabesque Vines) Karakusa also links things together to suit the moment. Shippo tends to keep layering the same circles, and Karakusa points its vines toward where it wants to grow, so your circle of connections spreads outward.
- Easy together Kikko (Tortoiseshell) Kikko also links things together and keeps the same shape going endlessly. Shippo tends to change shape in the moment, and Kikko lends it a straight plan, so the arrangement of your circles stays steadier.
- May clash Yagasuri (Arrow Feathers) Yagasuri breaks things into separate pieces, decides on a destination and heads straight there. To Shippo, who wants to link its circles and carry on in the same place, Yagasuri seems to be rushing ahead, and to Yagasuri, Shippo's repetition seems to be getting nowhere.
Chidori (Plovers)
- Easy together Seigaiha (Blue Ocean Waves) Seigaiha also goes with the moment and treasures each shape on its own. To Chidori, flying from place to place, Seigaiha's gently continuing waves are like somewhere to come back to, where someone will listen at leisure to stories from your travels.
- Easy together Yagasuri (Arrow Feathers) Yagasuri also breaks things into separate pieces and heads for its destination. Chidori tends to change direction on the spot, and Yagasuri shows it a straight plan, so your flight path wobbles less.
- May clash Kikko (Tortoiseshell) Kikko links things together without gaps according to the plan, and keeps the same shape going for a long time. Chidori wants to fly lightly to its destination one thing at a time; Kikko wants to keep a shape that doesn't crumble — so neither your speed nor your way of linking things tends to mesh.
Seigaiha (Blue Ocean Waves)
- Easy together Chidori (Plovers) Chidori also goes with the moment, moving lightly one thing at a time. Seigaiha keeps the same waves going, and Chidori brings back stories from its travels, letting a fresh breeze into everyday life.
- Easy together Shippo (Seven Treasures) Shippo also goes with the moment and keeps layering the same shape with no set end. Seigaiha tends to keep things separate, and Shippo adds circles that link them, so the things you've kept up become connected.
- May clash Asanoha (Hemp Leaf) Asanoha lays out its steps, links things together and grows toward a destination. To Seigaiha, who wants to carry on calmly one row at a time, Asanoha's pace feels fast, and to Asanoha, it can be hard to see where Seigaiha's progress is heading.
It is more fun once you know which one you are. 18 questions, about 3 minutes.
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