This pattern is designed to depict a land-scape of autumn leaves flowing in running water.
Its name comes from the Tatsuta-gawa River in Nar a Prefecture,
which is famous for its autumn leaves.
In the Kokin Wakashu, its beauty is likened to brocade (a noble t extile):
“Autumn leaves flow in turbulence on the Tatsutagawa River, and if I cr oss it,
the brocade will likely break in the middle.”
This is a pattern that combines cherry blossoms and autumn leaves,
which are representative of spring and autumn. It is called "unkin" (meaning "cloud brocade")
because the cherry blossoms are likened to clouds and the autumn leaves are likened to brocade
(a noble textile). It boldly expresses the feeling of admiring the changing colors of autumn leaves and
eagerly looking forward to the cherry blossoms,
which is unique to Japanese people who enjoy the changing seasons.