Common Motifs: Yukiwa - Snow(flake) Ring

Today's common motif is a type of snowflake, the stylized "snow ring", or "yukiwa" in Japanese 雪輪 . While obviously a winter motif, it can every now and then be found on summer items (I believe it's the "Christmas in July" approach of feeling cooler by using cold motifs in hot weather.) The yukiwa almost looks like a sand dollar, round with frilly edges and indentations, and is often filled with other motifs or images.

The examples below are a fukuro obi, a meisen kimono, and a summer weave maru obi.

All images copyright Ichiroya and used with permission.