日本だけでなく、生命や豊穣の象徴として世界各地で尊ばれてきた貝。蛤、帆立、栄螺、法螺貝など、形や色が特徴的で美しい貝が、文様には多く用いられています。数種類を組み合わせた「貝尽くし」や「貝散らし」、海辺の風景文様と組み合わせた表現も見ることができます。

Shellfish symbolize life and fertility all over the world and have been regarded as valuable in Japan as well.
Shells used in patterns in Japan include clams, scallops, turban shells, and conch shells because of their beautiful shapes and colors.
When found in kimono and obi, and it may be treated as a single expression of shellfish, as well as a combination of several types of shellfish, or a combination of seaside landscape patterns.

Obi fabrics with this Japanese pattern from the obico selection