Japanese Family Crest – it is only for the Royal Family and the nobles in the western world, the family crest. However, in Japan, every family has its own crest which is called Kamon in Japanese. Its design is unique and sophisticated, and each has its meaning. We will take a look at Kamon’s history, some famous samurai family crests, and various scenes we see Kamon today.
Japanese Family Crest Consulting Service
Given the popular demand for searching family crests and roots, we have launched the Japanese Family Crest Consulting Service.
For those of you who have an interest in finding one’s Kamon and family roots, please take a look at Japanese Family Crest Consulting Service. (We no longer answer questions in the comment section.) We are hoping to help your journey of Japanese family crest search. We use unique resources with multiple family crest databases.
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Check out our interview with Mosho Uwaeshi, the Japanese family crest artisans in Tokyo. You can create your own Kamon even if you don’t have Japanese Kamon yourself.
Kamon the Avant-garde: Interview with Japanese Family Crest Artisans
Brief History of Japanese Family Crest: Kamon
We assume Kamon was seen since the Heian period (794-1185).
The nobles put beautiful patterns on various goods and they enjoyed its beauty. Gradually, they began to create their own family crest, Kamon.
Court nobles adopted simple and natural patterns like flowers and plants.
People could distinguish which stuff belongs to whose family by the patterns of the crest.
In Europe, only the privileged classes were allowed to have the crest.
On the other hand, every family has Kamon regardless of its position in Japan. And every Kamon has a meaning and there are 5,116 kinds of Kamon confirmed today.
Around this time, the family crest was only for the nobles just like the western society.
However, Japanese entered the phase other classes began to use the family crest at the request of the period.
Japanese Patterns: Traditional Motifs and Designs
At the age of the civil wars, samurai began using Kamon as well.
It is a well-known fact that Genji and Heishi fought a furious battle at the end of the Heian period.
The Genji used white flags while Heishi adopted red flags to distinguish their own troops and the army.
Samurai Kamon: Seven Notable Samurai Family Crests
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Not just different colored flags, but samurai started to have their own crest.
In this era, to give rewards to samurai’s services on the battlefield accurately, they assigned some people to watch closely the battle.
Then, those people gave a report about who had done the most rewarding service.
In this job, you have to distinguish each party precisely and Kamon came in very handy for this reason.
The Edo administration ordered common people not to use a family name. For that reason, they needed Kamon to distinguish between their own family and others among the people.
So the number of Kamon increased exponentially.
In 1868, the class system was abolished by modernization, everybody was allowed to use a family name again.
However, the culture of Kamon has stayed alive to the present.
Oda Family Crest
Oda Nobunaga was a powerful daimyo (feudal lord) in the late 16th century who attempted to unify Japan during the late Civil War era.
He is often regarded as ‘the first great unifier.’ Oda Family crest is ‘Mokko-mon’.
Actually, that is one of the main family crests Nobunaga had, he had 7 crests.
It is not very clear the origin of ‘Mokko-mon’, there are several theories like it’s a cross-section of a melon or some kind of flower.
It also resembles the shape of a bird’s nest with eggs in it looking from above, therefore this Kamon is used in hope of family prosperity.
The other six crests have their own meaning, here we take a look at characteristic ones out of six.
It is originally the Kamon of Heike, but Nobunaga insisted he was from Heike, so he used it.
Why he insisted on it because people believed the next conqueror would be someone from Heike, Nobunaga must have expressed his will through this Kamon.
Nobunaga used this Kamon on his flags. Eiraku Tsuho was a coin that was imported from Ming Dynasty.
It’s been circulated until the early period of Edo. Nobunaga was very active in working on economic policy.
Toyotomi Family Crest
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a preeminent daimyo, warrior, general, samurai, and politician of the Civil War era who is regarded as Japan’s second ‘great unifier’.
Toyotomi Family uses ‘Kiri-mon’. Paulownia, which is “kiri” in Japanese, was believed to be the tree where a Chinese phoenix perches in ancient China myth.
Around 800, the Imperial Family of Japan began using Kiri-mon on their clothing.
Today’s Japanese government uses this Kiri-mon, also we can find it on the Japanese 500 yen coin.
After the Meiji period, the government began using it as a Japanese government crest.
From the Imperial Family to the Imperial Court, then the modern Japanese government, this Kamon has always been the symbol of high status.
Tokugawa Family Crest
Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed to Shogun in A.D. 1603, and the Edo period began. Ieyasu was the third and the last ‘great unifier’.
Tokugawa Family use ‘Aoi’ comes from Futaba-Aoi plant.
It is originally from the Shin-mon (deity’s crest) of the Kamo shrine in Kyoto.
The Shinto priest in this shrine, Kamo, and groups of samurai in Mikawa had a close relationship. Ieyasu prohibited others to use this crest to keep its authority.
Shinto Shrine: History, Architecture, and Functions
Where You See Kamon Today – Japanese Family Crest
Perhaps you can see Kamon most at ceremonial occasions such as a wedding ceremony or a funeral.
We can see Kamon on the Japanese traditional kimono, Tomesode, which is a women’s formal dress, and Montsuki Hakama which is a men’s formal dress.
You have a chance to see Kamon more often when you are in Kyoto.
Stores like restaurants and confectionery shop which has been in business for many years, some of them are even more than 100 years have their own Kamon.
Usually, they put it on their curtain at the entrance which is called “Noren” and their wrapping paper.
We see Kamon on wrapping cloth, too. Wrapping cloth can be used in a versatile way. It can wrap fruit to wine bottles in it and still looks stylish and easy to carry.
“Tenugui” is the cheapest and most handy washing cloth you can own with Kamon on it.
Also, you can see Kamon on a necktie, an umbrella, and roof tile. It represents a certain family today as well.
But people enjoy having their favorite samurai family crest on a key holder as such. Sophisticated designs are inspirational and make everyday life feel special.
A sure way to see a lot of varieties of Kamon at one time is you go to a cemetery and you’ll find them on the tombstones.
The shrines and the temples have their crest, too.
The Shrine’s crest is called ‘Shin-mon’ as we have seen with Kamo Shrine, the temple’s called ‘Jin-mon’.
Often times Shin-mon’s and Jin-mon’s patterns are derived from their deity’s origin and tools used in rituals.
Shichi-Go-San: Japanese Celebration for Children Age of 7, 5, 3
As you can see above, you walk near some shrine and if they throw a party, you have a chance to see such paper lanterns with Kamon on it.
It would be interesting to find various patterns of Kamon on the street and look up the meaning behind it.
References
豊臣秀吉の家紋の意味は？政府が使っている理由について！ (history-land.com)
【暮らしの中の家紋②】現代の家紋 どのようなシーンで家紋が使われているのだろう (HOME’S PRESS)
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View Comments (544)
Good afternoon! I loved it and found it quite interesting. I would like to know if you have images of the Nemoto family coat of arms. I thank the attention.
Thank you very much!
Thank you for your comment! As the Nemoto family has diverse origins, there are likely numerous Nemoto family crests. Could you please share specific details about your family domicile, such as the prefecture or city? This will help me in my search for related information about your Nemoto family's origin and the family crest.
You can write back using the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help.
Hiroko
Hello i was wondering if you could send me any information on Miyagi family. My family is from okinawa and i just wanted to see if there was any family kamon
Hi Jasper,
Thanks for the comment! The report about information about the Miyagi family from Okinawa Prefecture would be two pages long. I can write it using my Research Report service. https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-research-report/
Please let me know if you have any questions about my services via the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Kind regards,
Hiroko
Hi, I have been searching for the Yamanaka kamon (my grandfather on my.mother's side) and Seta kamon (my father's side).
Seta is not a common name 😔
Our families were from Okinawa.
Thank you for your assistance.
Hi Irena,
Thanks for the comment! Unfortunately, I don't have related information about the Yamanaka (山中) and Seta (瀬田) families from Okinawa Prefecture. I'm sorry I can't be of help. If possible, you might want to ask your relatives about their Kamon. It might lead you to get to know about your families' Kamon.
Kind regards,
Hiroko
Hello, please forgive me for so many questions, but I have encountered a multitude of barriers in regards to 3 kamon/family name issues Researching for over 25 years):
1)TOYOTA-豊田 From what used to be "Kamoto-machi, Kutami. Kumamoto. (Now Yamaga City) All my relatives have passed and have literally no information on their kamon.
2)The name HANAMOTO-花本 From both Asa-Gun, Nakahara mura and Asaminami-ku Hiroshima. The crest that is a broader sized meyui with a circle around it, can date back to around 1778, with my ancestors-Kikutaro, Sosaburo, Shinsuke and Shinzo (Earliest). I can't find any information on this large family name.
3)KAGAWA 香川 Asa-gun Nakahara mura-Apparently there were two families. One of which comes Sanuki and died out ages ago and ours from formally Aki/hiroshima. Our kamon is a tsuta with a circle around it.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Henry
はじめましてまつやまさん！I'm curious about my family's kamon and wondered if you might have any information on it. My family's name is 木上 and our kamon is a hanabishi flower with a ring around it. It is listed as Naito II in the third photo of grouped kamon. I was told growing up that my family was royalty at one point, but I'm struggling to find any information about it online. I appreciate your research and hope you are doing well!😊
Hi,
Thanks for the comment! How do you pronounce your family name, Kigami, Kinoue, or other? Also, please let me know your family domicile in Japan, such as prefecture. With this information, I will look up with my resources whether I have any related information about your family.
Please write me back via the email address below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Hoping to hear from you soon!
Hiroko
Greetings. I was hoping you might have some information on the mon for the Nakagawa family. I have some information from a translated copy of the koseki from my family as it existed in late 1951 (signed with the seal of the mayor of Kumamoto City at the time). If you are able to help, I can send you what I have to the email you mentioned below.
Hi Phillip,
Thanks for the comment! I have related information about the Nakagawa (中川) family from Kumamoto Prefecture, including the possible origins and their Kamon. They have three different roots and one unknown origin with six different family crests. Although I can’t narrow it down to one origin with one Kamon, I can compile the report with all origins with each attached Kamon for your reference. If you find it relevant, please consider my Research Report service. https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-research-report/
Please let me know if you have any questions via the email address below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Hello there! I was wondering if you have any information regarding the Nakajima family crest. Been dying to find information about my family, thanks in advance
Hi Issao,
Thanks for the comment! Could you tell me about your Nakajima family domicile in Japan, such as the prefecture? Also, please let me know about the kanji characters of your Nakajima family. I’ll look up to see whether I have related information with my resources. You can write to me back via the email address below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
I'll send you the information I have through the email you sent me right away. Thanks once again!
Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me more about my last name Kusuda and my moms maiden name, Shiraishi. I was wondering if anyone could find the Kamon/family crest of both.
Hi Josh,
Thanks for the comment! Could you tell me about family locations such as prefectures? Both the Kusuda (楠田) and Shiraishi (白石) families. I’ll look up with my resources whether I have any related information about them, including family origins and family crests.
You can write to me back via the email address below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Hello,
I went to Yokohama to visit my grandfather‘s grave. And on it had the family crest. His last name is Ame. Our family crest is the one from the Takenaka clan. My grandfather was born in th late 1800’s. While I was reading, I found out there were parent houses the Kamon belonged to. Are parent houses important? Thank you. I’m interested in your research as well.
Hi Emma,
Thanks for the comment! If you mean the main family by "parent houses," yes, it's significant since the main family lineage from which branch families emerge, and as a result, the family crest also increases. If I misunderstood your question and my answer is off the mark, please let me know. You can write me back via the email address below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Do you know the family crest for Shimizu from Ibaraki prefecture
Hi Tamera,
Thanks for the comment! I have related information about the Shimizu (清水) family from Ibaraki Prefecture. They have five different origins with eight family crests. Although I can’t narrow it down to one root with one Kamon, I can compile the report with all possible origins with Kamon for your reference. Here's my Research Report service detail: https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-consulting/
Please let me know if you have any questions via the email address below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko