Mon (emblem)

File:Goshichi no kiri inverted.svg

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 .

The devices are similar to the badges and coats of arms in European heraldic tradition, which likewise are used to identify individuals and families. are often referred to as crests in Western literature, the crest being a European heraldic device similar to the in function. Japanese influenced Louis Vuitton's monogram designs through Japonisme in Europe in the late 1800s.

History

originated in the mid-Heian period (c. 900–1000) 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. were also adapted by various organizations, such as merchant and artisan guilds, temples and shrines, theater troupes and even criminal gangs. In an illiterate society, they served as useful symbols for recognition.

Japanese traditional formal attire generally displays the of the wearer. Commoners without often used those of their patron or the organization they belonged to. In cases when none of those were available, they sometimes used one of the few which were seen as "vulgar", or invented or adapted whatever they wished, passing it on to their descendants. It was not uncommon for shops, and therefore shop-owners, to develop to identify themselves.

Occasionally, patron clans granted the use of their to their retainers as a reward. Similar to the granting of the patron's surnames, this was considered a very high honor. Alternatively, the patron clan may have added elements of its to that of its retainer, or chosen an entirely different for them.

Design

File:Gourd-Shaped Sake Bottle with Aoi Crests.jpg

bottle with Tokugawa clan's , 18th century, Edo period

File:Kamon himeji.jpg

Various on display at Himeji Castle

motifs can be broadly classified into five categories: animals, plants, nature, buildings and vehicles, and tools and patterns, each with its own meaning. The most common animal motifs are the crane and the turtle, which, according to tradition, were symbols of longevity and were used to wish the family a long and prosperous life. Plant were symbols of wealth and elegance, so they were often used to wish for the improvement of the family's social status and economic power, and motifs such as wisteria and paulownia were often used. depicting buildings, vehicles, or tools often indicated occupation or status. For example, a with a gate indicated a family associated with Shinto, a with a wheel indicated nobility, and a with a crowbar indicated a family associated with construction. The of nature was a symbol of respect for nature and prayers for a good harvest, and motifs such as the moon, mountains, and thunder were used.

The most commonly used motifs are wisteria, paulownia, hawk feathers, flowering quince, and creeping woodsorrel, which are called the . However, according to a dictionary of published by Shogakukan, oak is listed instead of paulownia. There are more than 150 types of wisteria , and their use by the Fujiwara clan led to their popularization.

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

File:Mitsubishi logo.svg

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. Another example of corporate use is the logo for the famous soy sauce maker Kikkoman, which uses the family of the founder, and finally, the logo of music instrument/equipment and motorcycle builder Yamaha, which shows three tuning forks interlocked into the shape of a capital 'Y' in reference to both their name and the origin of the company.

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

• Imperial crest of Japan & mon of the Emperor
  Imperial crest of Japan & mon of the Emperor
• Mon of the Akisino branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Akisino branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Hitachi branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Hitachi branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Takamatsu branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Takamatsu branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Mikasa branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Mikasa branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Takamado branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Takamado branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Fushimi cadet branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Fushimi cadet branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Hachijō cadet branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Hachijō cadet branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Takahito cadet branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Takahito cadet branch of the Imperial House
• Mon of the Kaninnomiya cadet branch of the Imperial House
  Mon of the Kaninnomiya cadet branch of the Imperial House

Animal motif

• Crane crest of the Mori clan (similar to Japan Airlines)
  Crane crest of the Mori clan (similar to Japan Airlines)
• Triple crane crest
  Triple crane crest
• Flowers in a turtle's shell
  Flowers in a turtle's shell
• Script error: No such module "lang"., the crossing pair of hawk feathers in circle
  , the crossing pair of hawk feathers in circle
• Script error: No such module "lang"., the swallowtail butterfly crest of the Taira clan
  , the swallowtail butterfly crest of the Taira clan
• Mythical three-legged crow Script error: No such module "lang".
  Mythical three-legged crow
• Quintuple Script error: No such module "lang". bird crest
  Quintuple bird crest
• Script error: No such module "lang". lobster emblem
  lobster emblem

Floral motif

• Script error: No such module "lang". (Wisteria)
  (Wisteria)
• Script error: No such module "lang". (Japanese ginger)
  (Japanese ginger)
• Script error: No such module "lang"., the bamboo leaves and gentian flowers crest of the Minamoto clan
  , the bamboo leaves and gentian flowers crest of the Minamoto clan
• Script error: No such module "lang".
• Script error: No such module "lang". or upright threeleaf arrowhead (sagittaria trifolia)
  or upright threeleaf arrowhead (sagittaria trifolia)
• Triple pine tree (Script error: No such module "lang".) of the Hira clan, member of Taira clan (Heike)
  Triple pine tree () of the Hira clan, member of Taira clan (Heike)
• Script error: No such module "lang". (triple mandarin orange)
  (triple mandarin orange)
• Script error: No such module "lang"., the device of the Izumo Genji clans (Oki, Enya, Takaoka)
  , the device of the Izumo Genji clans (Oki, Enya, Takaoka)
• Script error: No such module "lang"., the emblem of the Yanagisawa clan, Matsumoto family of kabuki actors
  , the emblem of the Yanagisawa clan, Matsumoto family of kabuki actors
• Sparrows and bamboo (Script error: No such module "lang".) of the Date clan
  Sparrows and bamboo () of the Date clan

Nature motifs

• Script error: No such module "lang". of the Kikuchi clan (eight sun-rays)
  of the Kikuchi clan (eight sun-rays)
• Script error: No such module "lang"., representing the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and two imaginary stars
  , representing the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and two imaginary stars
• Script error: No such module "lang". (moon and star)
  (moon and star)
• Script error: No such module "lang". (thunderbolt)
  (thunderbolt)

Tool and pattern motif

• Script error: No such module "lang". (crowbar)
  (crowbar)
• Script error: No such module "lang". (Bells and Script error: No such module "lang". used in Shinto rituals)
  (Bells and used in Shinto rituals)
• 6 coin crest of Sanada clan
  6 coin crest of Sanada clan
• Script error: No such module "lang".-emblazoned hand fan representing Japan, crest of Satake clan
  -emblazoned hand fan representing Japan, crest of Satake clan
• Tang dynasty-style hand fan crest
  Tang dynasty-style hand fan crest
• Script error: No such module "lang". shield motif. The motif is an amulet distributed by Yasaka Shrine to worship Gozu Tennō.
  shield motif. The motif is an amulet distributed by Yasaka Shrine to worship Gozu Tennō.
• Script error: No such module "lang". (Template:Ill). The official Script error: No such module "lang". of the Nakagawa clan is the oak, but this is another Script error: No such module "lang".. It is hypothesized that it is patterned after the Christian cross.
  (Template:Ill). The official of the Nakagawa clan is the oak, but this is another . It is hypothesized that it is patterned after the Christian cross.
• Three cooking pot hooks
  Three cooking pot hooks
• Script error: No such module "lang"., circle and four eyelets on the edge of the Uda Genji
  , circle and four eyelets on the edge of the Uda Genji
• Script error: No such module "lang"., the crest of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza clan. The motif is based on the kanji for Script error: No such module "Nihongo"..
  , the crest of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza clan. The motif is based on the kanji for .
• Swastika, or manji emblem of the Hachisuka clan
  Swastika, or manji emblem of the Hachisuka clan
• Script error: No such module "lang"., or crest of the Hōjō clan
  , or crest of the Hōjō clan

Building and vehicle motifs

• Torii of Shinto shrine
  Torii of Shinto shrine
• Script error: No such module "Nihongo". wheel motif of the Genji clan
  wheel motif of the Genji clan

See also

• Coat of arms
• Japanese rebus monogram
• List of Japanese flags
• National emblems of Japan