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.
Japanese Surnames: Top 10 Ranking, Origin and its Meanings
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 (573)
Hello Ms Matsuyama,
I want to ask you, what does it means if deceased man or deceased women family crest is still hidden in funeral? Does it means they never had children?
Hi Sahil,
Thank you for your comment. What do you mean by "hidden in the funeral?" I assumed you meant that the family crest of the deceased is not displayed during the funeral. Whether single or married, they should have a family crest from their own family or the family they married into. If no family crest is displayed, one possible reason could be that the family crest of their own family or the married family is unknown. Nowadays, many people are unaware of their family crest.
Does this answer your question? Please let me know if you have any questions via the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Hiroko
Hello Ms Matsuyama,
Please help me find my grand mother's family crest or Kamon. My great grand father was a soldier from hiroshima with the family name is Chikaraishi. Thank you!🙏
Hi Karla,
Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately, I don’t have information about the Chikaraishi (力石) family in Hiroshima Prefecture in my resources. They are rare surnames, and their parent clans are well-known in other areas with a specific motif of Kamon. However, it doesn’t go beyond my speculation that the Chikaraishi family in Hiroshima Prefecture should use that Kamon.
Please let me know if you have any questions via the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Hiroko
Hello Ms Matsuyama,
I'm very interested in finding our family crest if we have one. Both my parents are from
Wakayama Ken , father from Mio and mother from Gobo.
My family name is Tanaka, mothers maiden name is Yamamoto.
Would you be able to help or direct me to where i could possibly track down this information.
thank you
Thank you for the comment! I have related information about the Tanaka and Yamamoto families in Wakayama Prefecture. Both the Tanaka and the Yamamoto families have more than ten origins and many Kamon, which I can’t narrow down to one. I can still write a report about them with all potential roots and Kamon for your reference. However, you may not find them relevant since there are too many origins and family crests. I can introduce you to a family tree creation expert who does fieldwork. He may discover your parents’ family crests through the investigation. Please let me know if you are interested in his work by the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Hiroko
Hello again,
Yes, it would be interesting to look at the Tanaka family tree, what would the cost be for the fieldwork?
I can give you a little more info on my grandfather if that helps.
thank you for replying.
Hi Ms. Matsuyama,
I am searching for my family crests. My father's family name is Kitamura from Shiga prefecture and my mother's family is Morinaga from Yamaguchi. I would appreciate any help.
Thank you,
Grant Kitamura
Hi Grant,
Thank you for the comment! I have related information about the Kitamura (北村) family from Shiga Prefecture and the Morinaga (森永) family from Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Kitamura family has three origins and five family crests, while the Morinaga family has one origin and one Kamon. Although I can’t narrow it down to one root with one Kamon about the Kitamura family, I can still write a report about it with all the potential origins and significance of the family crests with my research report service.
https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-consulting/
Please let me know if you have any questions via the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Hello, I've been searching my family mon on either my father or mother's side. My father's last name is Morita, and I don't know where they were from in Japan, as they have been in Hawaii since at least my great grandfather's generation. My grandfather was James Morita, his father was Midori Morita, and his mother (he kept her name) was Kiku Morita, all apparently from Kapa'a, Hawaii.
On my mother's side, her father was Makoto Omori of Yokosuka, and I believe he served in the Navy during World War II.
Hello Bryce,
Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately, I can’t provide any information without knowing the family location regarding your father’s side’s Kamon. Still, I have information about the Omori (大森) family (your mother's side) in Kanagawa Prefecture (where Yokosuka is located,) including the origin and Kamon. They have one root with three family crests. Although I can’t narrow it down to one Kamon, I can still write a report with all potential Kamon for your reference with my research report service.
https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-consulting/
Please let me know if you have any questions via the email.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Hi,
I was wondering if there was a family Kamon for Paul Miki, a member of the Miki family clan in Harima.
Thank you!
Br. Simon
Hi Simon,
Thank you for the comment! I have information about the Miki (三木) family in Hyogo Prefecture (Former Harima Province.) They have two origins with five different family crests. Although I can’t narrow it down to one root with one Kamon, I can still write a report about the Miki family with all potential roots and Kamon for your reference with my research report service.
https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-research-report/
Please let me know if you have any questions via the email.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Good morning!
I was hoping you could help me find my grandmother's Kamon. (My mother's mom)
My grandmother's maiden name was Rika Yamamoto born in 1896 in Misashi Machi Asagun, Hiroshima, Japan.
Rika's mother's name was Mika Hashimoto.
I was once told that the female children born carry on their mother's crest and the males carry their father's crest. Is this correct?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
C Hirabayashi
Hello Hirabayashi-san,
Thank you for reaching out. Traditionally, we carry the Kamon from males. However, as you mentioned, we have a tradition called "Onna-mon (female crest)," where females pass the crest to daughters, particularly in western Japan. The materials I have are related to standard family crests. As for female crests (onna-mon), it's only possible to know if the information has been shared within the family (from grandmother to mother to daughter).
I can help you find either the Yamamoto family crest or the Hashimoto family crest in Hiroshima Prefecture. If that interests you, please let me know. Any questions are welcome.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I'm looking to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Good evening! Thank you for your quick response. Unfortunately, the crest for the female side was not shared from the grandmother to mother to daughter. The Yamamoto crest and Hashimoto crest would be from the male side of the family and I was searching for the female side.
I have been told that the only way I can find it is to go to Japan to the area where my great grandmother resided.
Thank you for your info!
C Hirabayashi
Do you have any information about family crest for Furukawa from the Kanagawa Prefecture? This is my mother's family. My father's last name is Omine, though he was born in America and does not know which part of Japan his family was from.
Hello Carolyn,
Thank you for the comment! I have related information about the Furukawa (古川) family from Kanagawa Prefecture, including their origins and family crests. They have two origins and two family crests in my resources. Although I can’t narrow it down to one root with one Kamon, I can write a report about all potential origins with Kamon for your reference with my research report service.
https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-research-report/
Please let me know if you have any questions.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Kind regards,
Hiroko
Thank you! I'd be interested in hearing about both origins and family crests. I will purchase your report. Let me know if you need any more information from me.
I was wondering if you would know the kamon for SHIMAZAKI from Kumamoto
Hello Miss Matsuyama,
I actually stumbled upon your website and loved your article! I have a direct line through my grandmother of the Hayashida clan. I was recently in Japan back in September of 2023 and we got to visit our ancestors burial ground in Kazusacho. There was a burial grounds keeper that had some of our family history and I do have some pictures of the writings he had, but was never really able to decipher them if you wanted to have a look and see I can provide you with some of the photos via email. He also stated we were descendants of samurai, but I didn't catch the name of the samurai unfortunately. Unless if was on these papers had his name on there. I was wondering if you may have any insight on anything of the Hayashida's as well? If not, no worries! Just thought I would ask. c: Have a wonderful day!
Hello Kat,
Thank you for your comment! Let me look at the photos you have and see if I recognize anything. If you give me your family location, such as the prefecture, I can also tell you whether I have any related information about the Hayashida family. Does it happen to be Nara prefecture?
Please write me via the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko