Origins in Nobility
The Evolution of the Mon or Kamon (family crest) begins among the imperial nobility during the late Heian Period (794-1185). (Okada, 13) The use of decorative embroidery and images among the aristocracy had existed for several hundred years. It is during the Heian that the small courtier class began adopting specific symbols to distinguish themselves and from their peers. The designs would be placed on carriages, clothing, and other luxury goods. (Okada, 14) |
Mon among military leaders did not gain prominence until the civil wars and conflicts of the Kamakura Period (1185-1333). The crests were needed to distinguish allies from enemies, and to show alliances between different military families. (Stone Bridge Press, 17) Crests were added to shields, flags, entrances to tents, and on the helmet and shoulders of their armor. By the end of the period, there was no major warrior family that did not have a heraldic crest associated to it. (Okada, 17) Internal fighting between samurai families during the middle of the 16th century resulted in factions with new crest designs to show their new allegiances.(Stone Bridge Press, 19) This also resulted in an increased use of crests during this period.
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An individuals preferred design or symbol would be noted among their peers, and they would often become known for their design. Subsequent generations may also have chosen this design out of habit, pride, or veneration to their ancestors. (Dower, 4) These designs became the earliest forms of heraldry in Japan.
Adoption by the Warrior Class The
use of kamon was almost non-existent among
the warrior class until their incorporation among the nobility. During the Gempei War (1180-1185), the two
primary houses vying for control of Japan’s ruling class used distinctive
colors to represent their camps, but had no other distinguishing symbols shown.
(Okada, 17) Taira chose red for their
camps, and the Minamoto family and allies chose white. As time went on, warriors from different Providences chose to make their camp flags more distinctive by designing crests
to be added. (Dower, 7)
Screens like this one painted in the late 19th century depict combatants with the Kamon that their families would have historically been known for. In reality, this there were probably few crests seen on the flags or shields in this battle.
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Choosing and Designing Kamon: Symbolism and Symmetry
The choice of a kamon’s design varies from family to family. Originally there were few requirements for the formation of crests. There is however an emphasis on symmetry in design. (Honda, 9) The number of designs increased dramatically over the centuries, but all are different interpretations of similar motifs. There are, in general, five methods that were used to choose and define ones kamon:
Symbolizes Family Name: These crests have a connection directly or indirectly to a family name. It might be something as simplistic as one of the characters within the family’s name being altered or repeated into an aesthetically pleasing pattern. It also could be the symbol for a bird chose by a family whose last name translates to crane, or the crest showing a cherry blossom for a family’s whose name is Yosino. (Okada, 30) The same as a mountain that is known for its cherry trees.
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Ancestor Commemoration: Sometimes a crest was designed to commemorate a famous ancestor or a specific deed that they or their family wished to remember. Many individuals also bore crests that had been bestowed on them by their liege lord, the shogun, or emperor. (Dower, 26) Most often this meant the individual was allowed to wear the crest of their patron. However, there was occasion when their lord instead personally chose the crest for their retainer to use.(Dower, 26)
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Auspicious Symbolism: Many families chose crests containing plants or animals with positive symbolic meanings. Tortoises, cranes, and the chrysanthemum are all creatures that are symbols of long life or longevity in Japan. Other crests were chosen due to superstition. The characters for luck, great, above, profit, fortune, and longevity were incorporated into crests.(Dower, 28)
Fun Fact: Before the modern Imperial Seal was adapted, rulers had used crests that incorporated the Sun, Moon, Blue Dragon, Peacock, Tortoise, White Tiger, and Three Legged Crow. (Dower, 3) |
Martial Spirit: Many samurai families crests were designed around showing their martial prowess. Crests incorporated the use of arrows, arrow notches, arrowhead,s bows, archery targets, battle axes, horses and bits, flags, helmets, and the ornamental horns used on helmets in their design.(Dower, 27) Many others chose kamon that combined the more elegant aspects of noble crests with a military flourish. Examples of these are using a plant such as wood sorrel as the background image, and adding a military design such as swords on top. There were also images in nature that had a military connotation such as dragonflies and crashing waves.(Okada, 35-36)
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Religious Symbolism: Some crests were designed based on religious symbols of iconography. There are many with symbolism related to Shinto. Often these are symbols of animals, plants or heavenly bodies associated with deities such as Hachiman, or Kumano Gongen. (Stone Bridge, 37) Much less common are Buddhist crests. These are normally items associated with Buddhism, or symbols signifying the doctrine directly. (Okada, 37). Finally there are a few crests that depict Christianity. Often these are designed depicting a cross in some way either directly or in disguise. (Stone Bridge, 37)
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Additional Changes & Evolution of Design
As families expanded, kamon were modified to build related crests. The main crest (jomon) would most often be the oldest recorded crest for the family, These were to distinguish children, both legitimate and illegitimate, mergers in the family due to marriage, and related but distinct branches within the family. These changes could be as simple as adding a ring of varying thickness and pattern around the original symbol, or adding another picture within the original mon. They could also altering the original design by inverting the image, changing the angle of the picture, looping, folding, or reshaping the crest. (Stone Bridge, 23-25)
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References
Dower, John, The Elements of Japanese Design: A Handbook of Family Crests, Heraldry, & Symbolism. New York: John Weatherhill Inc. 1971
Honda, Isao. Monsho: Family Crests for Symbolic Design. Tokyo: Japan Publishing Trading Company. 1963 translated by Masatsugu Tsuzawa and Donald C. Mann
Okada, Yuzuru. Japanese Family Crests. Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry: Japanese Government Railways. 1941
Stone Bridge Press, Family Crests of Japan. Berkeley; Stone Bridge Press. 2007
Image References
Sekigahara Kassen Byobu, screen, late 19th century, (Gifu Museum of History, Gifu). http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sekigahara_Kassen_By%C5%8Dbu-zu_(Gifu_History_Museum).jpg
“Kabuki Actors’ Crest as Depicted in Ukiyo-e’. digital image of Wood block print, In Japanese Family Crests, by Yuzuru Okada, pg. 1, Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry: Japanese Government Railways. 1941
Heiji Monogatari Emaki (illustrated stories about Heiji Civil War). Vol. Of the Removal of Imperial Family to Rokuhara. Tokyo National Museum digital archives. accessed 12/08/2014. http://www.tnm.jp/uploads/r_collection/LL_C0008550.jpg
Imperial Seal of Japan, digital reproduction, Wiki Commons, accessed 12/08/2014. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Imperial_Seal_of_Japan.svg
Mittu-dai-no-zi (three characters). mon. digital photo of illustration taken from Japanese Family Crests. Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry; Japanese Governmetn Railways. 1941, pg 31
Nakagawa-kurusu (Nakagawa's cross). mon. digital photo of illustration taken from Japanese Family Crests. Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry; Japanese Governmetn Railways. 1941, pg 38
Omodaka (Water-Plantain). mon. digital photo of illustration taken from Japanese Family Crests. Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry; Japanese Governmetn Railways. 1941, pg 36
Tangotango. "Ogi-ni-hinomaru". digital reproduction. accessed 12/08/2014. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Barn-Ogi-Sensu-Red-Hinomaru.svg
Kikkomon Soy Sauce Image treerootandtwig.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Copy-of-Kikkoman-LOGO-STACKED.jpg
“Kabuki Actors’ Crest as Depicted in Ukiyo-e’. digital image of Wood block print, In Japanese Family Crests, by Yuzuru Okada, pg. 1, Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry: Japanese Government Railways. 1941
Heiji Monogatari Emaki (illustrated stories about Heiji Civil War). Vol. Of the Removal of Imperial Family to Rokuhara. Tokyo National Museum digital archives. accessed 12/08/2014. http://www.tnm.jp/uploads/r_collection/LL_C0008550.jpg
Imperial Seal of Japan, digital reproduction, Wiki Commons, accessed 12/08/2014. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Imperial_Seal_of_Japan.svg
Mittu-dai-no-zi (three characters). mon. digital photo of illustration taken from Japanese Family Crests. Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry; Japanese Governmetn Railways. 1941, pg 31
Nakagawa-kurusu (Nakagawa's cross). mon. digital photo of illustration taken from Japanese Family Crests. Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry; Japanese Governmetn Railways. 1941, pg 38
Omodaka (Water-Plantain). mon. digital photo of illustration taken from Japanese Family Crests. Tokyo; Board of Tourist Industry; Japanese Governmetn Railways. 1941, pg 36
Tangotango. "Ogi-ni-hinomaru". digital reproduction. accessed 12/08/2014. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Barn-Ogi-Sensu-Red-Hinomaru.svg
Kikkomon Soy Sauce Image treerootandtwig.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Copy-of-Kikkoman-LOGO-STACKED.jpg