Since the Nara Period, when Shotokutaishi (Prince Shotoku) lived, various designs had decorated furniture and dishes which later were not only for artistic quality, but also to distinguish the property of Kuge who served the Imperial court.
聖徳太子が生きていた奈良時代から調度や器物には装飾目的として様々な文様が描かれてきたが、平安時代になると次第に調度品に文様を描くことはの視覚的な美しさだけでなく、公家（貴族）といった朝廷に仕える人々が各家固有の他家と区別する目印としての特色が帯びてきた。