Japanese Patterns of Design

Japanese clan symbols: Kamon of notable clans

Do you believe ancient clans still exist in Japan today? Yes, they do, as their descendants are still alive today. Generations of respecting the value of family have allowed Japanese clan symbols, aka Kamon...

Cool Japanese Last Names and their Meanings

This Kamon represents the Japanese family name “Kato” Japan has a vast number of last names. Many of them originated around the 12th century and became official after the Meiji restoration in the...

Kamon: the Symbol of Japanese Family Identity

Uesugizasa Kamon, the Japanese family crest, indicates a family’s origins. Unlike the coat of arms, it doesn’t belong to an individual but to a family. Foreigners can have one if they wish...

Category - Japanology