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A single motif in a circular field, drawn in one colour.
Also known as: Mon, Japanese family crest, Monshō, Circular motif crest
A kamon is a Japanese family crest: one motif — a plant, a bird, a geometric figure — resolved to a single silhouette that reads at any size. Unlike European heraldry there is no registry and no exclusivity, so several unrelated families may share one crest.
Denotes a Japanese family or institutional crest, drawn as a single motif in monochrome, usually within a circular field.
Contexts: History
Has no central registry and no rule of exclusivity, so unrelated families may bear identical crests — the opposite of European heraldic practice.
Contexts: History
Is designed for reproduction at any size in one colour, which is why the forms are reduced to silhouette rather than drawn in detail.
Contexts: History
Remains in current use on formal kimono, on temple and shrine fittings and as corporate marks.
Contexts: History
A single stylised motif — a plant, bird or geometric figure — rendered as a solid silhouette, usually enclosed within a plain circle.