Things Japanese

Family Crests or Mon

Visitors to Japan are certain to see them everywhere. In Japan the use of crests (mon) is not a privilege confined to persons of quality - anyone many have one. These unique but beautiful graphic symbols are the traditional Japanese "family crests" that are deeply rooted in the life of the people. Most families have their own crests handed down from generation to generation of the female members of a family, even after marriage, a woman was privileged to use her mother's crest.

This is no "dead" cultural heritage. Family crests continue to play an important role in the complex Japanese society of today in many varied ways. Petterns based on centuries-old family crests are often used as company symbols, trademarks, or as central themes for commerical posters.

The history of the Japanese crests goes back to the 11th century when warriors started affixing flags and symbolic signs to their banners on the battlefield. Even after the battle and the return home, they continued to use the signs as distinguishing marks of their families.

In time of peace the crest was worn as it still is, on the Japanese outer garment or kimono, in five places at the back of the neck, on each sleave and each breast. Sometimes only in three places - on the back and sleeves. When the material for the kimono is dyed, a stencil of the crest is pasted on it and appears in white on the finished kimono. In olden days the family crest marked many of the family possessions, such as their lacquerware, their traveling cases, rickshas, etc.

Today there are about 200 basic crests and nearly 4,000 variations base mostly on the designs of flowers, birds and animals.

The most famous among the myriad of family crests still in use is the one having a 16-petalled chrysanthemum as its design. The crest is reserved as the emblem of the Imperial Family. The chrysanthemum has been considered the most noble among flowers since ancient times and has had significance in the nation's history.

Other forms of floral crests desgined after plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, hollyhock, pine, camellia, bamboo, oak, violets and morning glory are also very popular.

With the end of the war, the old family system was abolished by law and many prewar practices have fast disappeared from the social scene. A fewm still remain and are prized by many people. One of them is the family crest. It is being looked at with new eyes by artists and is prized bith by the older generation and also by the young generation, awakened to the value of their cultural heritage.

Special crests were handed down from generation to generation of the female members of a family. Hence, even after marriage, a woman was privileged to use her mother's crest.