A Succinct Insight Into Asian Family Symbolism

By Takamitsu Hairi


Family system has not yet been thrown out by the Japanese people and so is the case of the family symbols also. 'Ka-mon', the Japanese expression for family symbols was originated from 'Ka' and 'mon' which mean family with its own ancestral tree and emblem respectively. History of Ka-mon traces back to 1200 AD.

Concurrently, in Europe also an insignia was popular named 'Coat of Arms'. So many studies have been done around the homogeneity of these two traditions.

Anyway, it is a truth that some general descriptions may not be enough to understand the Japanese family symbols because of their varied and distinctive aspects.

The mon as the Japanese symbol for family is known has no real defined set of rules. The most usual feature is that of a disc which is encompassing the figure of an animal, plants, celestial or natural bodies and even man-made objects.

Kanji script, which is an inevitable element of Japanese art forms, can be seen in the family symbols also. Religious and geometrical figures also are used to form these symbols. Normally these scripts and figures would be put in an abstracted form.

Although there are no predefined rules for the creation of mon symbols, their names are determined by the figures they consist of. Different from the European symbols, the name is only a description of the symbol and does not reveal the real representation of it. The figures on these symbols turn into fashion throughout the ages as they get the label of tradition and mythology.

There is not a specified rule for the colour selection also. However, they are generally found in monochrome. The usage of family symbols are unaccustomed in Japan nowadays. Although there are some families that stick to use them, several families will not be able to identify their mon because it has been labelled as an ancient practice.

When a family is in need of finding their mon, the temple records that keep the registries of the ancestral places of people will come with help. There are so many other ways to find the mon of each family when they are required.

Many of the packed food items that come from Japan are marked with mon. You can obtain a mon simply from the market or a craft shop to be used for your roof tiles and interior decorations.




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