Hello again! It is the blog How Unique Japan! How are you?
Today, we will talk about the Emblem in my country. What do you think about that? You probably imagine a loyal family (Eg, the Elizabeth family) or some nobles. So, it should belong to higher-class people.
However, we Japanese have a lot of different types of Emblems among us. They are Kamon (they are similar to the sound come on).
The amount is surprisingly almost 20000th! Why are there so many? The reason is deeply concerned with history.
The History of the Emblem
It is unclear when it was born, but historical theory suggests it might have been in the Heian era (from 794 to 1185 AD). So, they are pretty old.
Of course, Kamon belonged to the higher class at the beginning. For example, relatives of the Japanese emperor (he is called Ten-no).
However, they were not just for ensuring the power. Then, what were they for?
Surprisingly, they were for a solution to the road traffic problem.
A long time ago (around the Heian era), higher-class people did not use their feet to move to their next destination.
Although it would be very close, like next door. What did the nobles use for their transportation? They used the OXCART instead.
Please imagine the road’s situation with many oxcarts coming and going across. That means the road troubles were usual.
Indeed. Each noble usually got stuck with the other many times.
They (nobility people) struggled to solve the situation by several methods.
The solution was to give their family name for recognition, for which the passenger was in a higher class (basically, they put the name on the cargo). Yap. It was like a name tag.
One lower passenger made a way after they were sure.
However, that solution was not perfect. It took so long to recognize which one was in the higher class because the workers pulling the cargo were like servants who did not get enough education to read.
That is why the Emblems were born. The higher-class people invented their mark. That was easier to remember than learning words for lower workers. So, the emblems were the best solution to clear their identity.
Why did they become popular?
During the Edo period from 1603 to 1868, these emblems gained popularity among the citizens due to their association with loyal family names.
The family names were only allowed for the higher class.
However, creating the Emblems as the origin was surprisingly NOT illegal. That is why many people made their emblems.
Besides, the Edo era was the Japanese Renaissance.
So, that was a great time for everyone to prove their average living style to the next stage. They finally got enough food, clothes, and a house. Thus, many unique cultures were born during the Edo era. The Kamon emblem was one of them.
Three popular Kamon emblems
1. AOI CREST
It is one of the most famous Kamon in Japan. Its design originated from the Japanese flower, Aoi (common mallow in English).
It belonged to the highest (Emperor) family in the Edo era. They are Tokugawa crowns.
Why Aoi? Because that plant always faces the sun when it grows. It is the reason they have used it as a powerful symbol that expresses the sun.
2. Three Oak Leaves Crest
This one is also popular. Why are those oak leaves?
The leaves were used as a good plate for food in ancient times. That was an important role. Because Japanese people in old times usually prayed to the good (harvest’s good) with food offerings.
That’s right! They were also to pray, as the food plate.
Therefore, the Kamon was for the family line concerned with monk jobs. During the Edo era, many people wanted the emblem style to bring good luck and happiness from the Japanese gods. That is why the emblems got popular.
Additionally, the trees continuously make new leaves. When an old leaf dropped, the new one would come soon. That phenomenon inspired the old Japanese to feel that the family bloodline never ends. That is another reason for the popularity.
3. Six Coins Crest
It belonged to a very famous and tough military commander in Japan. His name was Yukitaka Sanade (真田 幸隆).
The Six Coins had wild meaning due to the Age of Civil Wars (just before the Edo era). At that time, many commanders in each area tried to rule all of Japan. That means wars were everywhere. He was born in such a cruel time.
Thus, that expresses preparedness to fight for his blood and family line. It meant I was ready to die for a fight!
But why does it have the six coins? The idea is from the Buddhist religion. That says, the dead people would go to the other side of the river flowing between reality and another world.
Dead people needed a small boat moored on the shore. Interestingly, the cost to use it is six coins.
Indeed. The commander got the idea from the story.
Fun fact
If you watch Japanese dramas set during the Age of Civil Wars, you will find different crowns.
There would have been many flags hanging on the soldier’s back or hoses, mainly around each territory. You could recognize unique emblems on the top of them.
So, each commander ensured which soldiers were on their side.
To close
These are just a few examples. You can search the Kamon emblems on the web. You will also find some uniquely shaped ones easily.
Please try it!
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