Hello again! It is the blog How Unique Japan! How are you?
Today, I will talk about the Emblem in my country. What do you think about that? You probably imagine a loyal family like the Elizabeth family or some Flags. So, it should belong to higher-class people.
However, we Japanese have a lot of different types of Emblems among citizens. They are called Kamon (sounds like come on).
The amount is surprisingly almost 20000th! Why are there so many? The reason is deeply concerned with the history of Japan.
The History of the Emblem
It is unclear when it was born, but historical theory says it might have been born in the Heian era (from 794 to 1185 AC). 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 showing the power of the family. Then, what were they for?
Surprisingly, they were for the 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 they do for it? They used the OXCART instead.
Please imagine the road’s situation with many oxcarts coming or going across. That means the road troubles were usual. For example, they were stuck to each other many times.
They (higher class people) struggled to solve the situation with several methods.
The solution was to show their family name each other to ensure which passenger was in a higher class (basically, they put the name on the cargo). One lower passenger made a way after they got sure.
However, that solution was not perfect. It took so long to recognize which one is higher. It is because the workers pulling the cargo were like servants who did not have enough education for reading.
That is why the Emblems were born. The higher-class people invented their mark. That was easier to remember than learning any capital for lower workers. So, the emblems were the best solution to clear their identity.
Why did they become popular?
In the Edo era (from 1603 to 1868), they became popular with the citizens, and the reason was due to the 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 started to make their Emblems.
Besides, the Edo era was like 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, so 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, which design was the Japanese flower, Aoi (Genus Hollyhock). 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 oak leaves had been used as good plates 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! The leaves were for praying as the food plate.
Therefore, the Kamon originally was for the family concerned with monk jobs. During The Edo era, many people wanted that emblem style to get good luck and happiness from Japanese goods. This is why the emblems got popular.
As well as the oak trees continuously make new leaves. When an old leaf dropped, the new one would come soon. That phenomenon gave the old Japanese the feeling 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, so many commanders in each area tried to rule all of Japan. That means wars were everywhere. He was born in such a cruel time.
So, that expresses preparedness to fight for his blood/family line. It meant I was ready to die for a fight!
But why does it have the six coins? The idea is from Buddhism religion. That says, the dead people would go to the side of the river flowing between reality and another world. Past people need to use the small boat moored on the shore. Interestingly, the cost to use it is six coins.
So, the commander got inspired by the story.
Fun fact
If you have a chance to see Japanese dramas about old times (Age of Civil Wars), you will see the war scenes among different crowns.
There would be 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 on the web. You would also find some funny shaped ones easily like some jokes. Please try it!
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