Japanese Pattern Generator
Pick a traditional pattern, set its scale and the size and shape of your panel, and export it at real-world size: line art to engrave, or a one-piece cut-out. Seigaiha waves on a coaster, shippo on a box lid, ichimatsu on a sign: every pattern is centred on the panel and clipped cleanly to its edge.
The patterns are part of Ornament Studio, so the same fabrication checks apply: your kerf, minimum bridge and sheet size are checked live. Designing is free; the $29 unlock covers every export in both. Looking for asanoha or kikko? They are in the kumiko pattern generator.
Quick start
How to make a Japanese pattern panel
Everything below runs in the studio above; the preview and fabrication checks update as you go.
Choose a pattern
Seigaiha, shippo, tatewaku, yabane, uroko or ichimatsu. Each one has its own scale setting: wave radius, circle spacing, column width and so on.
Shape the panel
A rectangle of any width and height, or a disc for coasters and ornaments.
Pick the output
Score for engraving line art (uroko and ichimatsu add filled dark cells on the engrave layer), or Cut lattice for a one-piece cut-out.
Check the status bar
Export-safe means the lines, holes and bridges suit your material settings. Scale the pattern up if holes get too small to cut.
Export
Download SVG or DXF for LightBurn and RDWorks.
Before the full cut: Cut the free Calibration square first to make sure your software imports the file at the right size.
Patterns included
Seigaiha
Blue sea waves
Rows of concentric arcs, each row tucked behind the one in front, so the waves overlap like scales. Set the number of rings in each wave.
Shippo
Seven treasures
Overlapping circles on a square grid. Neighbouring circles meet in lens-shaped petals, four around every crossing point.
Tatewaku
Rising steam
Vertical lines that swell and narrow, each mirrored by its neighbour, so the bands between them bulge and pinch in turn.
Yabane
Arrow feathers
Columns of chevrons, like the fletching on arrows, with neighbouring columns pointing opposite ways.
Uroko
Scales
A grid of triangles with every upward triangle dark, long seen on kimono and Noh theatre costume.
Ichimatsu
Checkerboard
Alternating squares, named after the Edo-period kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu, whose costume made it fashionable.
FAQ
What are wagara?
Wagara are traditional Japanese patterns: the repeating motifs on kimono, ceramics, lacquer and paper. Many are pure geometry, built from circles, arcs and grids, which is what makes them ideal for laser engraving and cutting. This generator draws six of the best known at real-world scale.
Can I make a round coaster?
Yes. Choose the Disc panel and set its diameter; the pattern is clipped cleanly to the circle and the disc edge becomes the cut outline. The rectangle panel works the same way for signs, boxes and wall panels.
Can I cut these patterns out?
Yes. The Cut lattice view turns the lines into ribbons and cuts out the spaces between them, as one piece. For uroko and ichimatsu only the dark cells are cut; the light cells stay solid. Seigaiha needs room: keep the space between its rings at least twice the ribbon width, and its smallest inner rings, which would otherwise fall out, are engraved on a solid centre instead.
What about asanoha and kikko?
Those are lattice patterns, built in the kumiko woodworking tradition. Find them, with goma, izutsu-tsunagi and more, in the Kumiko pattern generator.
Is it free?
Designing and previewing are free, and so is the calibration square for checking import scale. A one-time $29 purchase unlocks the SVG and DXF exports. It is the same unlock as Ornament Studio, so if you already own it, these exports are included.
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