Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

唐草文 (karakusamon) Japanese meaning: arabesque | Kotomora

唐から草くさ文もん

か

ら

く

さ

も

ん

Meanings

1

arabesque; scrollwork

Refers to a decorative pattern of intertwined vines, leaves, or scrolls, common in traditional Japanese art and architecture.

この寺じ院いんの柱はしらには美うつくしい唐から草くさ文もんが彫ほら

れ

て

いる

。

Beautiful arabesque patterns are carved on the pillars of this temple.

Kanji

唐T'ang, China, foreign
草grass, weeds, herbs
文sentence, literature, style

Related words

唐から草くさ模も様よう
唐草模様 is a more common term for the arabesque pattern itself, while 唐草文 often emphasizes the design as a motif in art or architecture.

Built from

唐から草くさ+文もん

Etymology

唐草 (karakusa) refers to the 'Chinese grass' motif, and 文 (mon) means 'pattern' or 'design'. The term describes a decorative pattern of scrolling vines and leaves that originated in ancient China and spread to Japan.