06.29.08
Cultural relativism in designs
In the Western world, the swastica has become a hated symbol. Not many Westerners know that the swastica, or gammadion is an ancient symbol of any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote good luck. Japanese maps are filled with manji, or swastikas. The map legend clarifies they mark the spots of Buddhist temples (tera):
But what should one think of this haori jacket on sale at kimono flea market Ichiroya:
Even the seller seems to think this is not a manji but a swastika: “…seems to be used at the restaurant as work clothes. It has a unique war atmosphere, including flags of Japan and Nazi Germany with combat plane motif.” I suspect the evel symbol is actually a happy one, as aviators used it commonly as a good luck charm. Even American aviator Matilde Moisant wears one:
I suspect the symbol is thus a manji. Manji is the name of the symbol in Japanese. It is a kanji, a character of Chinese origin: U+534D 卍 or 逆卍 (gyaku manji) and U+5350 卐. The manji symbolizes Dharma, universal harmony, and balance between opposites. “When facing left, it is the omote (front) manji, representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and intelligence, and is called the ura (rear) manji.” (Source: Wikipedia)
As I am poorly informed, I’ll leave the question unanswered.
A traditional yukata fabric design (wakgara) called sayagata (紗綾形) features a manji: 
As the manji is not associated with Nazism in Japan, it is widely used as decoration. This michiyuki coat has woven manji: 
This bag also features a manji: 
In Japan, manji are also used as family crests, kamon: 
Otonomiya’s site displays manji kamon used to decorate kimono.
Blogger Tatamishokunin (de gozaimasu) arranged the tatami mats as manji and gyaku manji:
The small square tatami mat is a half width mat used to cover the tea hearth.
The Origamist has folded a manji origami box: 
It seems the manji is used in Japan facing both ways. Google finds less of the reverse manji in Japanese context and more in the German context, though, but that might have to do with the logic Google uses.
Symbols are as culturally relative as anything else. Still, we live in a globalized world, so there is certainly need for reciprocal sensitivity.
