chokkomon

metal motif

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "chokkomon" refers to a decorative motif found on some Japanese metalwork, particularly mirrors and other items from the Early Kofun period. This motif consists of "patterns of straight line and arcs". It has also been discovered carved into tomb walls from the Late Kofun period. The abstract, interwoven nature of the chokkomon pattern has led to suggestions that it might symbolize rope used to bind the deceased to their tomb, reflecting aspects of Chinese Han dynasty cosmology.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Japanese art
Tumulus, or Kofun, period
…particular note is the so-called chokkomon decorative scheme found on some of these mirrors and on other Early Kofun metalwork. Chokkomon means “patterns of straight line and arcs,” and the motif has also been found chiseled on a wall in a Late Kofun tomb at the Idera tomb in Kyushu.…
Read More
…particular note is the so-called chokkomon decorative scheme found on some of these mirrors and on other Early Kofun metalwork. Chokkomon means “patterns of straight line and arcs,” and the motif has also been found chiseled on a wall in a Late Kofun tomb at the Idera tomb in Kyushu.…
Read More