清少納言が枕草子にも記した、淡い紫色の花が特徴的な桐。古来中国では空想上の鳥「鳳凰」の棲む木として尊ばれ、その故事が日本にも伝わり、吉祥文様として中世以降天皇の御衣に使われるようになりました。織田信長や豊臣秀吉などにも紋章として用いられ、現在の日本政府の紋章にもなっている植物です。

Their beautiful purple flowers bloom in May.
Since ancient times in China, Empress tree has been respected as a tree inhabited by the fantasy bird, the phoenix. The story was transmitted to Japan, and it has been used as an auspicious pattern for the emperor's clothing since the Middle Ages.
Samurai warlords such as Nobunaga and Hideyoshi used Empress tree as a emblem, and it is also used for the current Japanese government's coat of arms.

Obi fabrics with this Japanese pattern from the obico selection