Japanese Pattern Quiz

Asanoha (Hemp Leaf)

You join straight lines together and keep your eyes on where they're growing.

StraightConnectSet a destination

Asanoha is a pattern built on regular hexagons, made of straight lines radiating out from a center. It gets its name from looking like the leaves of the hemp plant. It uses no curves at all — only lines you could draw with a ruler — and every line connects with the pattern next to it, so the whole design forms one single mesh.

The pattern itself repeats without facing any particular direction, but the hemp it's named after is a tough plant that grows straight up, and fast. That's why asanoha has long been used for babies' clothing, it's said, as a wish for children to grow up healthy. You, too, set out your steps, link things together, and move forward with your eyes on where they're growing.

Because you keep linking things like a mesh, the things you're involved in can multiply until it's hard to see what this time's share actually is. Once you've picked one direction to grow in, draw just the lines that will get you there first, and the mesh can spread while keeping its shape.

Strengths

You can lay out your steps and head straight for where you've decided to go
You can relate separate things to each other and bring them together as one
You can set a goal first and work backward to the steps

Where you may stumble

As you keep connecting things, you end up involved in too much
When something happens that doesn't fit your plan, rearranging it all takes time
Where things carry on with no set end, you're uneasy not knowing what to aim for

Sounds familiar, Asanoha (Hemp Leaf)?

You bring up a bit of trivia in a completely different situation: “It's the same principle as that!”
When you set out saying “Just to that corner,” you really do turn back there
Whenever you start a new hobby, you quickly spot what it has in common with your old ones

Where you shine

Starting something new, or pulling scattered ideas together into one path forward — that's when the lines you draw can become the route everyone follows.

Tips for “Asanoha (Hemp Leaf)”

Before you branch out, decide on just one place you want to reach this time
In case things go off plan, give a little thought to a second route
Every so often, write out all the things you've connected on a single sheet and look them over

Matches

See every match in the Japanese Pattern Quiz compatibility chart →

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.