Chestnut or 栗 kuri can indeed be found used as patterns, for kimono, obi and any knick knack like boxes, plates, sword guards, etc. On the blog, you can find some here.

Tbh, rice was mostly reserved to the elite for a super long time, and common people eat other cereals, like millet. Chestnut were an afordable food, eaten in Japan since at least Jomon period, easy to store and packed with nutriments.

Kurigohan (chestnut with rice) is still nowadays a well loved autumn dish. Their auspicious golden colors also makes them suitable to be served for celebrations in place of the usual auspicious sekihan (red beans and rice).

Autumny embroidered modern haneri (decorative collar) by Fuji Shokai. You can see here: squirrels munching on chestnuts, golden leaves chestnuts, red mushrooms + bonus autumny embroidered tabi socks.

Softest chilly autumn day outfit, pairing a grey koshi (lattice) kimono with this handpainted obi depicting shimarisu (tamia/chipmunk) enjoying kuri (chestnut)

Autumn delicacy theme for this outfit, with lovely kuri (chestnut) kimono and obi (I want this obi SO BAD!!!)

Soft and demure kuri (chestnuts) kimono, seen on

Kuri kanoko (fawn chestnut), wagashi cake by Toraya

Glossy chestnuts arranged in a cute tama (jewel) shape mimic the traditional kanoko pattern.

Kanoko is the name given to spots motifs (often done using the tye and dye shibori technic) looking like a fawn’s coat.

[personnal translation/ 2015 new picture]

Kuri meigetsu (Harvest moon of Autumn)

In the japanese lunar calendar, Autumn quarter moon is called Kuri meigetsu which literally means “chestnut harvest moon”.

This year, Kuri meigetsu was on October 6th.

[personnal translation]