Left Tomoe with Three Swirls (Open Ground) Tie

The left and right of the tomoe are not determined by the direction of the swirl, but by a rational name created from the diagram. Such a thing is immediately understood by a top painter, but a teacher who has never diagrammed a crest will only be concerned with the direction of the swirl. However, even a top painter can be momentarily confused about the left and right of the tomoe. In such cases, the top painter recalls a clever oral tradition. ...First, clench your left palm and look at your wrist. The shape is that of a left tomoe. If you clench your right palm, the shape of a right tomoe will immediately appear. (From 'The Story of Family Crests' by Tsumao Awagasaka, p.61). This design is an open ground (printed) specification. 'Surikomi' is a technique where...a diagram is created, the tomoe is cut out to make a stencil...the stencil is placed on the fabric, and paint is applied with a brush (Reference: 'The Magic of Manji, The Curse of Tomoe' by Tsumao Awagasaka, p.146).