Japanese-English Photo Glossary Index

kamon Listen to the term in Japanese!

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Lanterns with kamon, Tokyo
Photo by Betty Swartz, July 8, 2003

family crest

Family crests, also called mon, have been popular in Japan since the 11th century, although the designs have been used since Nara and Heian times. Kamon can be found on such diverse items as o-mamori, formal kimono (montsuki), chouchin, and buildings.

Traditional Japanese Family Crests
Isao Honda

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