thumb|upright=0.8|The of the [[Toyotomi clan, now used as the emblem of the Japanese Government; originally an emblem of the imperial family—a stylized paulownia.]]
, also called , , and , are Japanese emblems used to decorate and identify an individual, a family, or (more recently) an institution, municipality or business entity. While is an encompassing term that may refer to any such device, and refer specifically to emblems that are used to identify a family. An authoritative reference compiles Japan's 241 general categories of based on structural resemblance (a single may belong to multiple categories), with 5,116 distinct individual .
It is well acknowledged that there are a number of lost or obscure . Among , the officially used by the family is called . Over time, new have been created, such as , which is unofficially created by an individual, and , which is created by a woman after marriage by modifying part of her original family's , so that by 2023 there will be a total of 20,000 to 25,000 .
History
originated in the mid-Heian period () as a way to identify individuals and families among the nobility. They had a pecking order, and when passed each other on the road, the one with the lower status had to give way, and the was painted on the . The , an depicting the Heiji rebellion, shows painted on . Gradually, the nobility began to use on their own costumes, and the samurai class that emerged in the late Heian period and came to power in the Kamakura period (1185–1333) also began to use . By the 12th century, sources give a clear indication that heraldry had been implemented as a distinguishing feature, especially for use in battle. It is seen on flags, tents, and equipment. On the battlefield, served as army standards, even though this usage was not universal and uniquely designed army standards were just as common as -based standards (cf. , ).Gradually, spread to the lower classes, and in the Muromachi period (1336–1573), merchants painted emblems on their shop signs, which became . In the Edo period (1603–1867), kabuki actors used , and the general public was allowed to choose and use their favorite . By the Genroku period (1680–1709) in the early Edo period, the use of was fully established among the general public. However, the use of the chrysanthemum used by the imperial family and the hollyhock used by the Tokugawa clan (Tokugawa shogunate) was prohibited.
Similar to the blazon in European heraldry, are also named by the content of the design, even though there is no set rule for such names. Unlike in European heraldry, however, this "blazon" is not prescriptive—the depiction of a does not follow the name—instead the names only serve to describe the . The pictorial depictions of the are not formalized and small variations of what is supposed to be the same can sometimes be seen, but the designs are for the most part standardized through time and tradition.
The degree of variation tolerated differ from to as well. For example, the paulownia crest with 5-7-5 leaves is reserved for the prime minister, whereas paulownia with fewer leaves could be used by anyone. The imperial chrysanthemum also specifies 16 petals, whereas chrysanthemum with fewer petals are used by other lesser imperial family members.
Japanese heraldry does not have a cadency or quartering system, but it is not uncommon for cadet branches of a family to choose a slightly different from the senior branch. Each princely family (), for example, uses a modified chrysanthemum crest as their . holders may also combine their with that of their patron, benefactor or spouse, sometimes creating increasingly complicated designs.
are essentially monochrome; the color does not constitute part of the design and they may be drawn in any color.
Modern usage
thumb|upright=0.8|Logo of [[Mitsubishi ("three diamonds" (rhombuses), in the form of a ]]
Virtually all modern Japanese families have a , but unlike before the Meiji Restoration when rigid social divisions existed, play a more specialized role in everyday life. On occasions when the use of a is required, one can try to look up their families in the temple registries of their ancestral hometown or consult one of the many genealogical publications available. Many websites also offer lookup services. Professional wedding planners, undertakers and other "ritual masters" may also offer guidance on finding the proper .
are seen widely on stores and shops engaged in traditional crafts and specialties. They are favored by sushi restaurants, which often incorporate a into their logos. designs can even be seen on the ceramic roof tiles of older houses. designs frequently decorate , , tofu and other packaging for food products to lend them an air of elegance, refinement and tradition. The paulownia appears on the obverse side of the 500 yen coin.
Items symbolizing family crafts, arts or professions were often chosen as a ; likewise, were, and still are, also passed down a lineage of artists. Geisha typically wear the of their (geisha house) on their clothing when working; individual geisha districts, known as , also have their own distinctive , such as the plover crest () of Ponto-chō in Kyoto.
A woman may still wear her maiden if she wishes and pass it on to her daughters; she does not have to adopt her husband's or father's . Flowers, trees, plants and birds are also common elements of designs.
also add formality to a kimono. A kimono may have one, three or five . The themselves can be either formal or informal, depending on the formality of the kimono, with formality ranging from the most formal 'full sun' () crests to the least formal 'shadow' () crests. Very formal kimono display more , frequently in a manner that makes them more conspicuous; the most formal kimono display on both sides of the chest, on the back of each sleeve, and in the middle of the back. On the armor of a warrior, it might be found on the (helmet), on the (breast plate), and on flags and various other places. also adorned coffers, tents, fans and other items of importance.
As in the past, modern are not regulated by law, with the exception of the imperial chrysanthemum crest, which doubles as the national emblem, and the paulownia, which is the mon of the office of prime minister and also serves as the emblem of the cabinet and government (see national emblems of Japan for further information). Some local governments and associations may use a as their logo or trademark, thus enjoying its traditional protection, but otherwise are not recognized by law. One of the best known examples of a serving as a corporate logo is that of Mitsubishi, a name meaning 'three lozenges' (occasionally translated as 'three buffalo nuts'), which are represented as rhombuses.
In Western heraldry
Japanese are sometimes used as charges or crests in Western heraldry. They are blazoned in traditional heraldic style rather than in the Japanese style. Examples include the swastika with arrows used by Japanese ambassador Hasekura Tsunenaga, the Canadian-granted arms of the Japanese-Canadian politician David Tsubouchi, and Akihito's arms as a Knight of the Garter.
Gallery of representative by theme
Imperial mons
<gallery>
File:Imperial Seal of Japan.svg|Imperial crest of Japan & mon of the Emperor
File:Japanese Crest of Akisino no miya.svg|Mon of the Akisino branch of the Imperial House
File:Japanese Crest of Hitachi no miya.svg|Mon of the Hitachi branch of the Imperial House
File:Emblem of Nobuhito, Prince Takamatsu.png|Mon of the Takamatsu branch of the Imperial House
File:Japanese Crest of Mikasa no miya.svg|Mon of the Mikasa branch of the Imperial House
File:Japanese Crest of Takamado no miya.svg|Mon of the Takamado branch of the Imperial House
File:Jūroku-yō Ura-giku inverted.png|Mon of the Fushimi cadet branch of the Imperial House
File:Katsura no miya.jpg|Mon of the Hachijō cadet branch of the Imperial House
File:Arisugawa no miya.png|Mon of the Takahito cadet branch of the Imperial House
File:閑院宮紋章.png|Mon of the Kaninnomiya cadet branch of the Imperial House
</gallery>
Animal motif
<gallery>
File:Tsuru_no_Maru_inverted_A.png|Crane crest of the Mori clan (similar to Japan Airlines)
File:Sanba_Tobi_zuru_inverted.svg|Triple crane crest
File:Azai shi.PNG|Flowers in a turtle's shell
File:家紋・丸に違い鷹の羽-maruni-chigai-takanoha.gif|, the crossing pair of hawk feathers in circle
File:Ageha inverted.png|, the swallowtail butterfly crest of the Taira clan
File:Yatagarasu A.svg|Mythical three-legged crow
File:Itsutsu_Chidori_inverted.jpg|Quintuple bird crest
File:Kotobuki_Ebi_inverted.png| lobster emblem
</gallery>
Floral motif
<gallery>
File:Sagari Fuji (No background and Black color drawing).svg| (Wisteria)
File:抱き茗荷-dakimyouga.gif| (Japanese ginger)
File:Sasa rindo.svg|, the bamboo leaves and gentian flowers crest of the Minamoto clan
File:Sumikiri hana01.svg|
File:Tachi omodaka.svg| or upright threeleaf arrowhead (sagittaria trifolia)
File:家紋・丸に左三階松-Maruni-hidari-sankaimatsu.gif|Triple pine tree () of the Hira clan, member of Taira clan (Heike)
File:3tachibana 001.svg| (triple mandarin orange)
File:Family crest hanawachigai.png|, the device of the Izumo Genji clans (Oki, Enya, Takaoka)
File:Yotsubishi.svg|, the emblem of the Yanagisawa clan, Matsumoto family of kabuki actors
File:Take_ni_Suzume.svg|Sparrows and bamboo () of the Date clan
File:Mitsubaaoi.svg|Triple hollyhock emblem of the Tokugawa clan
</gallery>
Nature motifs
<gallery>
File:Yatsuhiashi (No background and Black color drawing).svg| of the Kikuchi clan (eight sun-rays)
File:家紋・九曜-kuyo.gif|, representing the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and two imaginary stars
File:Japanese crest Tsuki ni Hoshi(Black background).svg| (moon and star)
File:Kokumochiji Nuki Hidari Mitsudomoe.svg| (thunderbolt)
</gallery>
Tool and pattern motif
<gallery>
File:Chigai kuginuki.svg| (crowbar)
File:Suzugohei.gif| (Bells and used in Shinto rituals)
File:Japanese Crest rokumonsen.svg|6 coin crest of Sanada clan
File:Japanese Crest Hinomaru Oogi.svg|-emblazoned hand fan representing Japan, crest of Satake clan
File:Japanese_crest_Tou_Uchiwa.svg|Tang dynasty-style hand fan crest
File:Gion Mamori Inverted.svg| shield motif. The motif is an amulet distributed by Yasaka Shrine to worship Gozu Tennō.
File:Nakagawake kurusu.svg| (). The official of the Nakagawa clan is the oak, but this is another . It is hypothesized that it is patterned after the Christian cross.
File:Mitsu_Zaru_inverted.png|Three cooking pot hooks
File:家紋・丸に隅立て四つ目.gif|, circle and four eyelets on the edge of the Uda Genji
File:Yamabishi.svg|, the crest of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza clan. The motif is based on the kanji for .
File:Japanese Crest Maru ni Hidari Mannji.svg|Swastika, or manji emblem of the Hachisuka clan
File:Japanese Crest mitu Uroko.svg|, or crest of the Hōjō clan
File:Japanese Crest Abe no Seimei Hann.svg|Pentagram mon of Abe no Seimei
</gallery>
Building and vehicle motifs
<gallery>
File:Japanese crest Torii.svg|Torii of Shinto shrine
File:Japanese_Crest_Gennji_kuruma.svg| wheel motif of the Genji clan
</gallery>
See also
- Coat of arms
- Japanese rebus monogram
- List of Japanese flags
- National emblems of Japan