*Mon of Royal Family
Hello, this is Yoriko.
Today I would like to talk about Kamon/mon (Family Crest).
Mons in their infinite variety display great versatility of use are frequently presented by temples, shrines, royalty, bars governments and business places as their distinguishing mark, their emblem. The use of Mons are generally uncensored and unregulated and no copyright claims can be made on them.
Mons have a historical and cultural significance. The mon is very closely related to the family name and was once interchangeable with it. The mon can be quite revealing about nature of employment and hence the social status of one's ancestors. Family history can be determined very accurately. Those families with long histories of honour and good reputation have retained their Mon which is worn on every formal occasions. This has forced the descendants of less worthy citizens to adopt or otherwise obtain a Mon not tarnished by their forefathers.
The origins of the mon date back to the eleventh century. The Fujiwara family, a leading family of the time, stimulated the practice of associating a specific symbol with each family name. There are between 300 and 500 basic designs of Mon. When every variation on each mon is considered the number extends into the thousands. Practically every kind of plants, birds, animals, natural phenomenons and manufactured objects of Japanese origins or culture has been part of Mon.
One pattern of Mon design can be developed in many ways. For example...
These are plum flowers. It became a variety of mons.
Add circles or squares, change the shapes or turn over. Hundreds or thousands of possible variations here.
It may have become obvious that the Mon is a corner stone of Japanese culture.
You will easily find Mons when you visit Japan or let me talk about small details when I guide you!
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