During the Edo period, the Edo bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun) permitted free use of the design in contrast to Mitsuba-aoi (Hollyhock with three leaves), and it spread amongst the general populace; Japanese confectionery and kazari-kanagu (decorative metal fixtures) of Buddhist alter articles with this design were made and spread throughout Japan.
江戸時代には江戸幕府により三つ葉葵とは対照的に使用は自由にされ一般庶民にも浸透しこの紋の図案を用いた和菓子や仏具等の飾り金具が作られる等各地に広まった。