正倉院御物の「山水夾纈屏風」に代表されるように、日本では自然の風景が文様として描かれてきました。平安時代になると、それまで中国の影響が強かった表現が、日本独自のものへと変化していったといいます。京名所や近江八景、日本三景など、特定の場所を描いたものは名所文様と呼ばれます。

As exemplified by the "山水夾纈屏風" (Mountain and Water Screens) from the Shōsōin Treasure House, Japan has a tradition of depicting natural landscapes as motifs. During the Heian period, the previously strong influence of Chinese artistic expression gradually transformed into a uniquely Japanese style. Designs featuring specific locations, such as famous places in Kyoto, the Eight Views of Ōmi, or the Three Views of Japan, are known as Meisho Monyō (名所文様), or scenic patterns.