Family system has not yet been thrown out by the Japanese people and same 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 namely 'Coat of Arms'. So many studies have been done around the homogeneity of these two customs.
Anyway, it is a truth that some overall 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 roundel which is encompassing the figure of an animal, plants, celestial or natural bodies and even man-made objects.
Kanji symbols are usually found in Japanese family symbols. Religious symbols and geometrical patterns also can be seen. The whole lot of these things are put down in a distracted manner.
In spite of the absence of written rules for the construction of mon, their name is defined by the figures they include. What makes this naming unalike the European method of naming is that, these names are only some descriptions for the symbols and do not expose their inner meanings. Figures that are featured on these symbols eventually become fashion as they began to be known as tradition.
There is not a certain rule for the colour selection also. Even so, they are commonly found in monochrome. The usage of family symbols are rare in Japan nowadays. Although there are some families that stick to use them, several families will find it difficult to identify their mon because it has been labelled as an old-fashioned practice.
When a family is in need of finding their mon, the temple records that keep the registries of the ancestral places of people can be used. There are a lot of other ways to identify the mon of each family when they are required.
Some of the packed food items that come from Japan are marked with mon. You can avail a mon simply from the market or a craft shop to be used for your roof tiles and interior decorations.
Concurrently, in Europe also an insignia was popular namely 'Coat of Arms'. So many studies have been done around the homogeneity of these two customs.
Anyway, it is a truth that some overall 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 roundel which is encompassing the figure of an animal, plants, celestial or natural bodies and even man-made objects.
Kanji symbols are usually found in Japanese family symbols. Religious symbols and geometrical patterns also can be seen. The whole lot of these things are put down in a distracted manner.
In spite of the absence of written rules for the construction of mon, their name is defined by the figures they include. What makes this naming unalike the European method of naming is that, these names are only some descriptions for the symbols and do not expose their inner meanings. Figures that are featured on these symbols eventually become fashion as they began to be known as tradition.
There is not a certain rule for the colour selection also. Even so, they are commonly found in monochrome. The usage of family symbols are rare in Japan nowadays. Although there are some families that stick to use them, several families will find it difficult to identify their mon because it has been labelled as an old-fashioned practice.
When a family is in need of finding their mon, the temple records that keep the registries of the ancestral places of people can be used. There are a lot of other ways to identify the mon of each family when they are required.
Some of the packed food items that come from Japan are marked with mon. You can avail a mon simply from the market or a craft shop to be used for your roof tiles and interior decorations.
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Traditional Japanese art is an important part of the national heritage of Japan. If you want to get more reading material on Japanese Kanji symbols follow the links herein.
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