Ashikaga crest using paulownia motif
Crest based on orange plant
Imperial crest based on chrysanthemum
Imperial crest at Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo
Tokugawa crest using hollyhock motif
Lantern with crest at Shiba Dai-jingu
The mitsu tomoe is considered auspicious and is associated with Daikokuten (Good Luck God) and Raijin (God of Thunder and Lightning). Due to the latter association, this motif is often found on taiko (due to the sound drums make), and roof tiles to ward off storms.
The 16-petaled chrysanthemum has been used by the imperial family since the 13th century.
Symbols of Japan: Thematic Motifs in Art and Design
Merrily Baird
Roof detail with mitsu tomoe
(Photo by Betty Swartz)
The mokka crest represents the Japanese quince. There are several varieties of this crest.
Mokka-style kamon at Matsue Castle
(Photo by Travis Heggem)
The five-fold cherry blossom crest is very popular and comes in many varieties.
The kamon in this picture include the tsuki-to-hoshi (moon and star) crest made up of circles surrounding a larger circle on the left side and rindo, or gentian, on the right side of the noren, as well as on the chouchin.
Traditional Japanese Family Crests
Isoa Honda
Kamon at the Ataka Barrier, Kanazawa
(Photo by Betty Swartz)