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 (584)
Hi,
I was wondering if you knew anything about the family crest for Yamanaka (山中) from Tochigi-ken?
Hi Cody,
Thank you for the comment! I have information about the Yamanaka (山中) family from Tochigi Prefecture. They have three family crests, but no specific clan name is mentioned as their roots. Still, I can suggest the potential parent clan and their lineage from materials, using my research report service.
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 you knew anything about the family crest for Yamanaka (山中) from Tochigi-ken?
Hello,
I've been looking for my family kamon for a long time with no success. My surname is Kawamoto from Hiroshima.
Would anyone be able to help me??
Thank you
Hello Jeferson,
Thank you for the comment! I have information about the Kawamoto (川本) family from Hiroshima Prefecture, including their origins and crests. They have two origins and four family crests in my resources. Unfortunately, I can’t narrow it down to one root and one Kamon. Still, I can write a report with all potential roots and Kamon using 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
Hello Ms. Matsuyama, I would like to know about the Nimura (二村) family's crest. My great grandmas name was Michiko Nimura.
If you have any information on the crest, that would be helpful.
Thank you and good day.
Hello Sadie,
Thank you for the comment! Can you tell me about your Nimura family domicile, such as Prefecture? I will see whether I have information about it, including its family origin and crest. Please write me back via the email.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Hiroko
Hello Matsuyama san,
May you please tell me about the family crest for Shinkichi Nakajima --my father-in-law (and his youngest brother, Shosaku Nakajima--Uncle Sho)? Their father was adopted by Nakajima-san before WWII, but their father's original name was Arai. They are from Omiya-Saitama Prefecture?
Thank you very much.
Hello Mrs N,
Thank you for the comment! I have information about the Nakajima family in Saitama Prefecture, including their family origins and Kamon. They have six family roots and eleven family crests. It applies if your father-in-law, Shinkichi Nakajima, used the family crest from the adopted family, Nakajima, and this Nakajima family came from Saitama Prefecture. Using my research report service, I can write a report with all potential family origins and Kamon. https://www.patternz.jp/product/kamon-consulting/
If they are from another place, please let me know.
I also have information about Shinkichi Nakajima’s original family, the Arai family in Prefecture, including the family origins and the family crests. Could you tell me the kanji characters of the Arai family, perhaps 新井 or 荒井? So that I can get to know the correct information.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you via the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Hiroko
Hello, Matsuyama san.
How are you doing? I hope youre doing well and i wish you and your family all the best and an awsome 2025.
I would like to know the crest of my grandfather and mother's family crest, Tanaka (田中) my grandfather is from Kumamoto. Also, my grandmother is from Hokkaido and her last name is Otaki (大滝). I wish I could know their both family crest.
よろしくお願いします。
Hi Rodney,
Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately, I don’t have information about the Otaki family in Hokkaido, but I do have information about the Tanaka family in Kumamoto. Since the family name Tanaka is pretty popular, they have more than ten roots and 22 family crests in my resources. Still, I can write a report about their origins and the significance of the family crests.
Please let me know if you have any questions via the email below.
patternz.jp{at}gmail.com
Warm regards,
Hiroko
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