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Mon (紋,[mõ̞ꜜɴ]), also calledmonshō (紋章),mondokoro (紋所), andkamon (家紋), areJapaneseemblems used to decorate and identify an individual, a family, or (more recently) an institution, municipality or business entity. Whilemon is an encompassing term that may refer to any such device,kamon andmondokoro refer specifically to emblems that are used to identify a family. An authoritativemon reference compiles Japan's 241 general categories ofmon based on structural resemblance (a singlemon may belong to multiple categories), with 5,116 distinct individualmon.
It is well acknowledged that there are a number of lost or obscuremon.[1][2] Amongmon, themon officially used by the family is calledjōmon (定紋). Over time, newmon have been created, such askaemon (替紋), which is unofficially created by an individual, andonnamon (女紋), which is created by a woman after marriage by modifying part of her original family'smon, so that by 2023 there will be a total of 20,000 to 25,000mon.[3]
The devices are similar to thebadges andcoats of arms in Europeanheraldic tradition, which likewise are used to identify individuals and families.Mon are often referred to ascrests in Western literature, the crest being a European heraldic device similar to themon in function. Japanesemon influencedLouis Vuitton's monogram designs throughJaponisme in Europe in the late 1800s.[4][5][6]
Mon 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 whengissha (牛車,bullock cart) passed each other on the road, the one with the lower status had to give way, and themon was painted on thegissha. TheHeiji Monogatari Emaki, anemakimono (絵巻物, picture scroll) depicting theHeiji rebellion, showsmon painted ongissha. Gradually, the nobility began to usemon on their own costumes, and thesamurai class that emerged in the late Heian period and came to power in theKamakura period (1185–1333) also began to usemon.[3][7] 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,mon served as armystandards, even though this usage was not universal and uniquely designed army standards were just as common asmon-based standards (cf.sashimono,uma-jirushi).
Gradually,mon spread to the lower classes, and in theMuromachi period (1336–1573), merchants painted emblems on their shop signs, which becamemon. In theEdo period (1603–1867),kabuki actors usedmon, and the general public was allowed to choose and use their favoritemon. By theGenroku period (1680–1709) in the early Edo period, the use ofmon was fully established among the general public. However, the use of thechrysanthemummon used by the imperial family and thehollyhockmon used by theTokugawa clan (Tokugawa shogunate) was prohibited.[3][7]Mon were also adapted by various organizations, such as merchant and artisanguilds, temples and shrines, theater troupes and even criminal gangs. In an illiterate society, they served as useful symbols for recognition.
Japanese traditionalformal attire generally displays themon of the wearer. Commoners withoutmon 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 fewmon which were seen as "vulgar", or invented or adapted whatevermon they wished, passing it on to their descendants. It was not uncommon for shops, and therefore shop-owners, to developmon to identify themselves.
Occasionally, patron clans granted the use of theirmon to theirretainers 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 itsmon to that of its retainer, or chosen an entirely differentmon for them.
Mon 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 thecrane and theturtle, which, according to tradition, were symbols of longevity and were used to wish the family a long and prosperous life. Plantmon 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 aswisteria andpaulownia were often used.Mon depicting buildings, vehicles, or tools often indicated occupation or status. For example, amon with atorii gate indicated a family associated withShinto, amon with agissha wheel indicated nobility, and amon with acrowbar indicated a family associated with construction. Themon 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.[3][7]
The most commonly usedmon motifs arewisteria,paulownia,hawk feathers,flowering quince, andcreeping woodsorrel, which are called thegodaimon (五大紋, five majormon). However, according to a dictionary ofmon published byShogakukan,oak is listed instead of paulownia.[3] There are more than 150 types of wisteriamon, and their use by theFujiwara clan led to their popularization.[8]
Similar to theblazon 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 amon does not follow the name—instead the names only serve to describe themon. The pictorial depictions of themon are not formalized and small variations of what is supposed to be the samemon can sometimes be seen, but the designs are for the most part standardized through time and tradition.
The degree of variation tolerated differ frommon tomon 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 acadency or quartering system, but it is not uncommon forcadet branches of a family to choose a slightly differentmon from the senior branch. Each princely family (shinnōke), for example, uses a modified chrysanthemum crest as theirmon.Mon holders may also combine theirmon with that of their patron, benefactor or spouse, sometimes creating increasingly complicated designs.
Mon are essentially monochrome; the color does not constitute part of the design and they may be drawn in any color.
Virtually all modern Japanese families have amon, but unlike before theMeiji Restoration when rigid social divisions existed,mon play a more specialized role in everyday life. On occasions when the use of amon 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 offermon lookup services. Professionalwedding planners,undertakers and other "ritual masters" may also offer guidance on finding the propermon.
Mon are seen widely on stores and shops engaged in traditional crafts and specialties. They are favored bysushi restaurants, which often incorporate amon into their logos.Mon designs can even be seen on theceramic roof tiles of older houses.Mon designs frequently decoratesenbei,sake,tofu and otherpackaging for food products to lend them an air of elegance, refinement and tradition. Thepaulowniamon appears on the obverse side of the500 yen coin.
Items symbolizing family crafts, arts or professions were often chosen as amon; likewise,mon were, and still are, also passed down a lineage of artists.Geisha typically wear themon of theirokiya (geisha house) on their clothing when working; individual geisha districts, known ashanamachi, also have their own distinctivemon, such as the plover crest (chidori) ofPonto-chō inKyoto.
A woman may still wear her maidenmon if she wishes and pass it on to her daughters; she does not have to adopt her husband's or father'smon. Flowers, trees, plants and birds are also common elements ofmon designs.[9]
Mon also add formality to akimono. A kimono may have one, three or fivemon. Themon themselves can be either formal or informal, depending on the formality of the kimono, with formality ranging from the most formal 'full sun' (hinata) crests to the least formal 'shadow' (kage) crests. Very formal kimono display moremon, frequently in a manner that makes them more conspicuous; the most formal kimono displaymon 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 thekabuto (helmet), on thedo (breast plate), and on flags and various other places.Mon also adorned coffers, tents, fans and other items of importance.
As in the past, modernmon are not regulated by law, with the exception of theimperial chrysanthemum crest, which doubles as the national emblem, and the paulownia, which is the mon of the office ofprime minister and also serves as the emblem of thecabinet and government (seenational emblems of Japan for further information). Some local governments and associations may use amon as their logo ortrademark, thus enjoying its traditional protection, but otherwisemon are not recognized by law. One of the best known examples of amon serving as a corporate logo is that ofMitsubishi, a name meaning 'three lozenges' (occasionally translated as 'threebuffalo nuts'), which are represented as rhombuses.[10] Another example of corporate use is the logo for the famoussoy sauce makerKikkoman, which uses the familymon of the founder,[11] and finally, the logo of music instrument/equipment and motorcycle builderYamaha, which shows threetuning forks interlocked into the shape of a capital 'Y' in reference to both their name and the origin of the company.[12]
Japanesemon are sometimes used ascharges orcrests in Westernheraldry. They are blazoned in traditional heraldic style rather than in the Japanese style. Examples include the swastika with arrows used by Japanese ambassadorHasekura Tsunenaga, the Canadian-granted arms of the Japanese-Canadian politicianDavid Tsubouchi,[13] andAkihito's arms as aKnight of the Garter.[14]
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![Nakagawake kurusu (the cross of Nakagawa clan [ja]). The official mon of the Nakagawa clan is the oak, but this is another mon. It is hypothesized that it is patterned after the Christian cross.](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aJapense_crest_Nakagawake_kurusu.svg)
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