“Kamon”: Japan’s Family Crests

Crests showing variations in the tomoe swirl. (© Pixta)

In the Heiji monogatari emaki, an illustrated narrative handscroll depicting the Genpei War, nobles’ carriages can be seen involved in the fighting. The crest depicted here is the kuyōmon, a type of star crest, symbolizing nine heavenly bodies. It is believed to ward off evil. (Courtesy the National Diet Library)

Kamon that express the wish for longevity: a noborigame (“rising turtle”) and tsurumaru (“crane circle”). (© Pixta)

The Ashikaga clan kamon with two horizontal lines inside a circle. Variations of this hikiryōmon can include one or even three horizontal lines. (© Pixta).

The five major kamon, from left to right: wisteria, paulownia, hawk feathers, flowering quince, and creeping woodsorrel. (© Pixta)