Mon (crest)

nihongo|Mon|紋|("plural" mon), also nihongo|monshō|紋章|, nihongo|mondokoro|紋所|, and nihongo|kamon|家紋|, are Japanese heraldic symbols. "Mon" may refer to any symbol, while "kamon" and "mondokoro" refer specifically to family symbols. "Mon" serve roughly similar functions to badges, crests, and coats of arms in European heraldry.

History

It is thought that "mon" originated as fabric patterns to be used on clothes in order to distinguish individuals or signify membership in a specific clan or organisation. By the twelfth 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.

Like Western heraldry, "mon" were initially held only by aristocratic families, and were gradually adapted by commoners. On the battlefield, "mon" served as army standards, even though this usage was not universal and uniquely designed army standards were just as common as "mon"-based standards. (cf. "sashimono", "uma-jirushi") "Mon" were also adapted by various organizations, such as merchant and artisan guilds, temples and shrines, theatre troupes and even criminal gangs. In an illiterate society, they served as useful symbols for recognition.

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

Rules regulating the choice and use of "mon" were somewhat limited, though the selection of "mon" was generally determined by social customs. It was considered improper to use a "mon" that was known to be held by someone else, and offensive to use a "mon" that was held by someone of a high rank. When "mon" came into conflict, the lower-ranked person sometimes changed their "mon" to avoid offending their superior. The "mon" held by the ruling clans of Japan, such as Tokugawa's hollyhock "mon" and the Emperor's chrysanthemum "mon", were legally protected from unauthorized usage.

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

Design

There are no set rules in the design of a "mon". It most commonly consists of a roundel encircling a figure of plant, animal, man-made, natural or celestial objects, all abstracted to various degrees. Religious symbols, geometric shapes and kanji were commonly used as well.

Similar to the blazon in European heraldry, "mon" 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 "mon" does not follow the name - instead the names only serve to describe the "mon". The pictorial depictions of the "mon" are not formalized and small variations of what is supposed to be the same "mon" can sometimes be seen, but the designs are for the most part standardized through time and tradition.

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 "mon" from the senior branch. "Mon" holders may also combine their "mon" with that of their patron, benefactor or spouse, sometimes creating increasingly complicated designs.

"Mon" are essentially black-and-white; the colour does not constitute part of the design and they may be drawn in any colour.

Modern usage

Virtually all modern Japanese families have a "mon", though modern usage is rare. Many Japanese may no longer recognize their own family's "mon". On occasions when the use of "mon" is required, one can try to look it up in the temple registries of their ancestral hometown or consult one of the many genealogical publications available. Professional wedding planners, undertakers and other ritual masters may also offer guidance on finding the proper "mon".

"Mon" can still be seen widely on stores and shops engaged in traditional crafts and specialities. They are favoured by sushi restaurants which often incorporate a "mon" into their logos, while "mon" designs can be seen on the ceramic roof tiles of older houses. "Mon" designs also frequently appear on "senbei", "sake", "tofu", and other packaging for foodstuffs to lend them an air of elegance and refinement. The paulownia "mon" appears on the obverse side of the 500 yen coin.

Items symbolising family crafts, arts or professions were often chosen as a "mon". A fan design might be chosen by a geisha. A woman may still wear her maiden "mon" if she wishes and pass them on to her daughters and does not have to adopt her husband's or father's "mon".

"Mon" add formality to a kimono. A kimono may have one or three or five "mon". The "mon" themselves can be more or less formal; more formal kimono display more numerous "mon", and frequently in a manner so as to make them stand out more. This may help dress up or dress down the formality of a kimono at the wearer's discretion. In the dress of the ruling class, the "mon" could be found on the kimono on both sides of the chest, on both sleeves, and in the middle of the back. On the armour, it could be found on the "kabuto" (helmet), on the "do" (cuirass), flags, and various other places. "Mon" could also be found on coffers, tents, fans, and many other items of importance.

As in the past, modern mon are not regulated by any law, with the exception of the imperial chrysanthemum, 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 the government. Some local governments, associations and businesses may use mon as their logo or trademark, and thus enjoy all the protection as such, but otherwise mon are not recognized by law. One of the best known examples of a corporate logo in the form of a mon is the logo for Mitsubishi, a name meaning "three water chestnuts", which are represented as rhombuses. ["The Mitsubishi Mark". "Mitsubishi.com." 2008. http://www.mitsubishi.com/e/group/mark.html. Accessed 10 August 2008.]

List of representative "kamon"

:"Chigai": crossed, "daki": holding, "go": five, "maruni": a circle and, "mitsu" and "mittu": three, "mukai": faced, "yotsu" and "yottu": four.
* Abeseimeiban (阿部清明判), Ichikawa, Sakō clans
* Abekezeni (阿部家銭)
* Agehanochō (揚羽蝶), swallowtail butterfly, Nishinotōin clan
* Aizu mitsu aoi (会津三葵), wild ginger ("Asarum caulescens") leaves, Aizu Matsudaira clan
* Arimake kara hana (有馬家唐花)
* Arimoji (有文字)
* Chigai bishi (違菱)
* Chigai daikon (違大根)
* Chigai kine (違杵)
* Chigai kuginuki (違釘抜)
* Chigai masakari (違鉞)
* Chigai takanoha (違鷹羽),
* Chigai yabane (違矢羽)
* Chūwani chigaikama (中輪に違鎌)
* Chūwani gosannokiri (中輪に五三桐)
* Chūwani narabitakanoha (中輪に並鷹羽)
* Daki gyōyō (抱杏葉), Ōtomo, Tachibana clans
* Daki kajinoha (抱梶葉)
* Daki kashira (抱柏)
* Daki myōga (抱茗荷)
* Daki Omodaka (抱面高)
* Daki ine (抱稲)
* Daki kajinoha (抱梶葉)
* Daki kashiwa (抱柏)
* Daki omodaka (抱面高)
* Eirakusen (永楽銭), Oda, Mizuno, Sengoku clans
* Futowani masakari (太輪に鉞)
* Gaku (額) Koide clan
* Genji kōzu (源氏香図)
* Gion mamori (祗園守)
* Gion mamoriku-zushi (祗園守崩し)
* Gosan no kiri (五三桐), Toyotomi, Hosokawa clans
* Gohon bone ōgi (五本骨扇), Satake, Ōkōchi clans
* Gomaisasa (五枚笹)
* Goshichi no kiri (五七桐)
* Gyōyō botan (杏葉牡丹), Hayashi, Sayama, Kōda, Shigeta clans
* Hanabishi (花菱)
* Hanakage kyōyōbotan (花陰杏葉牡丹)
* Hanatsuki mitsuaoi (花付き三つ葵)
* Hidari futatsu domoe (左二巴)
* Hidari midori (左三ツ巴), Saionji, Utsunomiya, Kii, Kamachi, Okabe clans
* Hinomaru ōgi (日の丸扇)
* Hirai zutsu (平井筒)
* Hiraki kasa (開き傘)
* Hishimochi (菱持)
* Hitotsu tabanenoshi (一束熨斗)
* Hitotsu tsurumyōganome (一蔓茗荷丸)
* Hiyokuzuru (比翼鶴), Kamachi clan
* Hōjōke uroko (北条家鱗)
* Hondake tachiaoi (本多家立葵)
* Honmoji (本文字), Honda clan
* Hosowani nozoki kajinoha (細輪に覗き梶葉)
* Ichimonji (一文字), Yamanouchi, Nasu clans
* Ichimonji jimitsuboshi(一文字三星), Mōri clan
* Igeta (井桁)
* Igetani mokkō (井桁に木瓜)
* Ikari (碇)
* Ine no maru (稲の丸)
* Injūchō (因州蝶), Ikeda clan
* Iori (庵)
* Ippon sugi (一本杉)
* Ishimochi (石餅), Tōyama, Itami clans
* Itōke fuji (伊藤家藤)
* Itowani kawarikochō (糸輪に変り胡蝶)
* Itowani uchiwa (糸輪に団扇)
* Itsutsu rindōguruma (五ツ龍胆), Kuga clan
* Itsutsu warimanji (五割万字), Yokoyama, Hachisuka clans
* Janome (蛇の目)
* Jinuki eirakusen
* Jūjikurusu (十字久留子)
* Jūrokuben yae omotegiku (十六弁八重表菊) - Emperor of Japan
* Jūrokuyou uragiku (十六葉裏菊), Hirohatake clan
* Jūroku uragiku (十六裏菊), Nashimoto-no-miya Princely House
* Jūshiben hitoe uragiku (十四弁一重裏菊)
* Kagekuyō (陰九曜)
* Kageman jimaru (陰万字丸)
* Kagetsuta (陰蔦)
* Kagome (籠目)
* Kaji (卦字), Kosaka, Miki clans
* Kakitsu batabishi (杜若菱), Kazanin clan
* Kama (鎌)
* Kana wakuzushi (金輪崩し)
* Kan-ei Tsūhō (寛永通宝), Fukushima clan
* Kanibami (酢漿草), Nitta, Sakai, Hirano, Hida, Nakazawa, Taga, Akada, Hirao clans
* Karabishibana (唐菱花)
* Karahana (唐花)
* Kasa (傘)
* Kasa (笠)
* Kasane hanagata genjiguruma (重ね花形源氏車)
* Kasane masu (重ね枡)
* Kashira awasemitsu kasa (頭合三笠)
* Kawari kikusui (変り菊水)
* Kawari uchiwa (変り羽団扇)
* Kichimoji (吉文字), Mōri, Nagai clans
* Kikkō (亀甲)
* Kikkōni hanabishi (亀甲に花菱)
* Kiku fusen ryō (菊浮線綾)
* Kikusui (菊水), Kusunoki clan
* Kikyō (桔梗), Toki clan
* Kiriguruma (桐車)
* Kiyobu chō (きよぶ 蝶)
* Kochō (胡蝶)
* Komochi kikkō (子持亀甲)
* Konoe botan (近衛牡丹), Konoe family
* Kuginuki (釘抜)
* Kujōke fuji (九条家藤), Kujō family
* Kumihiraizutsu (組平井筒)
* Kurodake tachibana (黒田家橘)
* Kutsuwa (轡)
* Kuyō (九曜), Hosokawa, Sakuma clans
* Manji (卍)
* Maruni agehanochō (丸に揚羽蝶), Ikeda, Hiramatsu clans
* Maruni chidori (丸に千鳥)
* Maruni chigai chōji (丸に違丁字)
* Maruni chigai takanoha (丸に違鷹羽), Asano, Kikuchi, Handa clans, Kubo
* Maruni chigai ya (丸に違矢)
* Maruni dakikashiwa (丸に抱き柏)
* Maruni dakimyōga (丸に抱茗荷)
* Maruni futatsu biki (丸に二引), Akamatsu, Ashikaga clans
* Maruni hanaken bishi (丸に花剣菱)
* Maruni hanare kenkatabami (丸に離れ剣片喰), Hirano clan
* Maruni hidari mitsu domoe (丸に左三巴),Matsumata clan
* Maruni hidari sangaimatsu (丸に左三階松) Heishi clan Heike