1 Also hishigata 菱形. A diamond or lozenge shape. A term used to describe diamond-shaped cross sections or construction members, or to refer to members crossed and joined in a diamond formation. Examples include: diagonal roofing, hishibuki 菱葺; lozenge-shaped grid beams, hishimebari 菱目梁; diamond fence *hishigaki 菱垣.
2 Abbreviation of *hishimon 菱文 or hishi mon'yō 菱文様. A diamond-shaped design, frequently of repeated diamond shapes, hishitsunagi 菱繋. The design is used in latticework *kōshi 格子, and transoms *ranma 欄間 , where the diamond shapes are created by the intersection of thin wooden strips (see *tasukimon 襷文). It also appears on family crests, monshō 紋章, furniture, household utensils, and clothing. Variations include designs called the pile of three diamonds *sangaibishi 三蓋菱; pine-bark diamond *matsukawabishi 松皮菱; quartered diamond *yotsuwaribishi 四割菱; lantern diamond *chōchinbishi 提灯菱. Designs of diamond-shaped flower motifs are called *hanabishi mon'yō 花菱文様、and a design of concentric diamonds is called irekobishi 入子菱.