Joyous Kamon: Japanese Animal Crests

25 Oct 2007 Category: Features, Illustration, Japan

Joyous Kamon: Japanese Animal Crests

It's cute! And it's actually a Japanese family crest - "Rabbit kamon" features a curve line of a rounded rabbit body like a peach, or more a drop...? Anyway, interesting to have a rabbit as crest for sure. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Guess how many kamon, family crests, exist in Japan! Well, there are about 20,000 with each one of them having a rich historical background. Impressive! So, kamon with a hollyhock, chrysanthemum, star or moon design are just beginning: For today, PingMag introduces you to the genki world of Japanese kamon with tons of fabulous animal symbols.

Written by Ryoko
Tranlated by Rei Ishimi

Where does it come from?

Originally, kamon were mainly used by nobles in order to show their status, and not as their house’s symbol. Later, the ways to use them changed throughout time. They were used as a symbol of a samurai family’s authority on one occasion and as a kabuki actor’s trade mark on another occasion. Nowadays we don’t find many crests that often, but at least we can see their designs on a crested hakama - the Japanese formal men’s divided skirt - or a happi coat for festivals.


What’s this orange space ship doing in the image? Interesting looking crest on a store curtain. Courtesy of the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum.

What variety on motifs! Several different kamon printed on the cover of Nanso Satomi Hakkenden, which is the tragic romance of a princess and the adventure of eight heroic samurai, written by Kyokutei Bakin. Courtesy of Ohya Shobo.

Ornamental Tomoe kamon drawn in blue on a lantern. Courtesy of Ohshimaya Onda.

Crest Designs

The original models of Japanese crests’ designs were familiar objects like flowers or Chinese patterns. Originally, kamon were created realistically with delicate lines. But later on, they began to take on abstract designs and changed to a symbolic style as they were circled.


The “Gold Kamon of Three Geese” - again, ornaments! Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Amazing silhouette, but a crest! Sparrow kamon with three bamboo leaves in a circle. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Animals? Animals!

Actually, animal kamon are pretty rare, but we collected some of these beautiful ones for you! But why an animal as design in the first place? They have propitious meanings: For example, a crane and a turtle represent long life since we say cranes live for a thousand years and turtles live for ten thousand years. Similarly, a shrimp is considered a symbol of long life as its long barb and bent over figure look like an aged person. Moreover, a clam is used for the crest design because of the fact that when it’s a bivalve, its both sides stick together, which makes it resemble one harmonious married couple… Next time you have shrimp or clams for dinner, think of that!


Wonderful! This “Flying Crane Kamon” reminds us of the old Japan Airlines’ logo… Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Wow, some sky rocketing turtle! “Turtle Kamon” with chimerical ears and a tail. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Flap, flap! The shrimp’s barb of this “Shrimp Kamon” is beautifully flapping in the wind. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Not another space ship - but a clam: The “Clam Kamon” is a symbol of hope that the married couple gets along happily ever after, sticking tight together like a bivalve… Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

“Hawk’s Wing” was a very popular crest among warriors at the age of provincial wars. 120 families of the feudal lords and the direct retainers of the shogun used it. For some reason, only feathers are shown in the crest, and a hawk itself is not shown in it. And for the other, a goose was used in some samurai families’ crests as its unique gabble is said to bring good luck.


Here, we have a stronger, valiant approach - “Hawk’s Feathers Crest.” Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

A beautiful migrant bird flying in the sky is immortalised in the “Goose Kamon.” Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

An old map of the Kyushu area in southern Japan: As you can see, the “Hawk’s Feathers Kamon” was used by several samurai families in Chinzei. Courtesy of World of KAMON.

Popular Trees

However, the most popular crest’s design in Japan is a plant such as a plum or a gingko. Though animal kamon are not common, one is: A butterfly motif is often used Also, the swallowtail butterfly would be a famous representative kamon for a heike, a specially powerful samurai, and is used as lantern design even today. In earlier times, Japanese women totally loved the beauty of this “Butterfly Kamon” depicting a graceful butterfly in the sky.


Kind of abstract looking, and quite modern - “Butterfly Kamon.” Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

A butterfly crest on a nowadays lantern. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Japanese people love to eat crabs and that’s why there are lots of illustrations of them as well. The image below on the right moreover shows a Chidori, a generic Japanese name for ‘small birds’ living at the waterside. Its small bill and legs protruding of its rounded body look simply adorable! Maybe, the Hiyoko Manjyu, a chick-shaped bun with bean-jam filling and at the same time Tokyo’s signature sweets, is a model for this plover?


A beautiful “Crab Kamon.” Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Oh, cute! The “Chidori Crest” looks so adorable. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

But, apart from cute little birds, Japanese crests feature also wild roaring animals! Some kamon use a lion, the king of beasts, or a Phoenix and dragons, the legendary animals. However, those special crests with delicate lines in lacquers were not generally used that often.


The “Phoenix Kamon” with this mythical bird. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Drawn in every tiny little detail - “Flying Phoenix.” Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Oene humorous looking “Lion Crest.” Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

A dragon (are these feet or horns on his body?) in this “Tenryu Kamon” showing the kanji ‘ten’ for ‘sky.’ Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

Yes, this is also a family crest - kamon featuring a running horse. Courtesy of Kamon Crest Japan.

We thank Kamon Crest Japan for all of their kind help. And you’d have to check out their website to see their other most lovely kamon motifs!

72 Comments

  1. Oooh, the chidori one looks so uber cute.
    Its adorable how the Japanese use and combine such cuteness on their serious crests. Their minimalist flair inspires me to design the patterns i so love!

    Posted by: braclynn on October 25th, 2007 at 11:17 pm

  2. Real awesome! Very inspired from the artwork. I’m loving the line work of Sparrow, Phoenix and Dragon. ;-) ~~”PING!”

    Posted by: nico on October 26th, 2007 at 5:20 am

  3. !

    Posted by: amy on October 26th, 2007 at 11:10 am

  4. [...] are around 20,000 Kamon, family symbol, in Japan. Ryoko from Pingmag introduces some of the kamon design with animal motif. Share [...]

    Posted by: Global Voices Online » Japan: Family Crests on October 26th, 2007 at 12:45 pm

  5. Nice!

    Posted by: Akai on October 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pm

  6. [...] Japan gibt es etwa 20.000 Kamon, Familiensymbole. Ryoko von Pingmag stellt einige der Kamon mit Tiermotiven [...]

    Posted by: Global Voices auf Deutsch » Blog Archive » Japan: Familienwappen [Linktipp] on October 26th, 2007 at 9:59 pm

  7. beautyfull!!

    Posted by: elf on October 29th, 2007 at 6:32 pm

  8. Cuanto uso de la mono linea!, me encantan estos japoneses.

    Posted by: roberto on October 31st, 2007 at 10:31 am

  9. hi wsup!

    Posted by: daniel on December 4th, 2007 at 3:37 am

  10. hi wsup! looking good!

    Posted by: daniel on December 4th, 2007 at 3:38 am

  11. ohayo gozaimasu

    Posted by: daniel on December 4th, 2007 at 3:38 am

  12. mike kezner says hi

    Posted by: daniel on December 4th, 2007 at 3:39 am

  13. [...] festival clothing, lanterns, and historical architecture. Take a look at the variety of designs at pingmag.jp “_blank” Subscribe to comments Comment | Trackback |  Share This Add a [...]

    Posted by: » Japanese Family Crests on January 4th, 2008 at 4:10 am

  14. the flying crane kamona is my familly symbol in hokaido.My familly was samurays.

    Posted by: jonny keito on January 26th, 2008 at 10:48 pm

  15. Usually I love the simple kamon with only black and white colours (maybe with a splash of red). But the details of that Shrimp Kamon & Tenryu Kamon are just wonderful!
    Love Japanese lanterns!

    Posted by: Naomi on January 31st, 2008 at 4:56 pm

  16. [...] 日本历史上的动物形象 [...]

    Posted by: rsiii.瑞升设计 » 本月书签 on February 29th, 2008 at 4:09 am

  17. hi trying to find out more about kamon looking for weeping wisteria kamon, and their origins?? this site was very interesting .thanks

    Posted by: jude on January 6th, 2009 at 1:28 am

  18. I am part of the Ikeda family and our mon is the butterfly… beautiful. thanks.

    Posted by: Lei Cha on May 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am

  19. I am looking for a Kobashigawa Kamon. Do you have any information on where to find this?

    Posted by: HeatherM on October 21st, 2009 at 12:41 pm

  20. Estimados amigos, estoy buscando el Kamon de la familia SHIGYO, nativa de la ciudad de Fukuoka, me pueden ayudar a encontrarla?
    Se los agradecería mucho!

    Posted by: luis lau shigyo on November 27th, 2010 at 10:54 am

  21. Dear Sir or Madam:
    We,M/s. Pak Tambo. Sialkot - Pakistan, is the Manufacturers cum Exportersof the top-Quality (Flag & Banner, German Eagles, Cords of all kinds , , hand embroidered badges & metal badges of all types,Family Crests ,musical instruments)

    We are desirous to do business with your Company and offer supply of an Excellent Quality Products at favorable prices. In case you need samples, please contact us, mean while you are invited to
    send us your own designs to manufacture.

    There is any question or inquiry, Please get in touch with us by our
    official e-mail for Quick reply and we expect the fovour of a trial order.
    Looking for your Good End.

    Best Regards

    Mr. Naeem (Executive)
    M/S PAK TAMBO
    E-mail: paksale@brain.net.pk
    Phone: +92 332 868 9929
    Phone: 92- 524-603029
    Fax. 92- 524-603029
    Mailing Address

    Pak Tambo & co
    21/270 majeed pura railway road
    Sailkot 51310 Pakistan

    Posted by: M.NAEEM on December 22nd, 2010 at 3:00 am

  22. Keep up the good work, wonderful job!

    Posted by: blog on June 2nd, 2011 at 10:51 pm

  23. I want to see the many development of this site.

    Posted by: innovative healthcare on June 15th, 2011 at 1:40 am

  24. Rich Content makes this site a winner, Thanks

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 6th, 2011 at 6:47 pm

  25. Good topic..keep the good content coming

    Posted by: Marketing on July 7th, 2011 at 3:33 am

  26. I can’t believe how informative your site is. Thanks

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 9th, 2011 at 4:20 am

  27. If u like soccer visit us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by: Soccer on July 19th, 2011 at 3:08 pm

  28. I am looking for hotels in london. I like the facilities available, great stuff.

    Posted by: hotels,london hotels on July 19th, 2011 at 10:21 pm

  29. The formula 2 + 2 = 5 if you are a Republican Member of US Congress

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 27th, 2011 at 5:48 am

  30. Exiting and Educative post providing a rich knowledge content!. Keep it up

    Posted by: Get more website Traffic on July 27th, 2011 at 11:09 pm

  31. Your blog posts are awsome. I like it. Please keep updating your posts.I think it is great for facial treatments for acne.

    Posted by: facial treatments for acne on July 29th, 2011 at 12:49 am

  32. Kamon is a Japanese word. I originally thought it was just a local slang for an American expression.

    Posted by: Fence Philadelphia on August 2nd, 2011 at 3:33 am

  33. This is the Japanese version of the British emblems I believe? Or what are they called, family hmm..I forgot..

    Posted by: Wedding Video Philadelphia on August 2nd, 2011 at 3:54 am

  34. Mainly inspired by nature.

    Posted by: Pergola Construction on August 2nd, 2011 at 4:13 am

  35. Another informative piece on history. Thanks pingmag!

    Posted by: Video Production NJ on August 2nd, 2011 at 4:32 am

  36. I can’t believe how informative your site is. Thanks

    Posted by: nem alma on August 4th, 2011 at 6:19 pm

  37. A detailed Advertising Review

    Posted by: united healh care on August 13th, 2011 at 1:49 pm

  38. I’ve by no means seen it from that perspective. Luckily there are multiple approachs to do things. I actually enjoy business and finance so this post offers some attention-grabbing concepts for me to think about.

    Posted by: Marketing Strategy Template on August 16th, 2011 at 5:09 pm

  39. I always prefer to undertsand a brand new manner of looking at it. Thanks for the information. I never thought of it like that.

    Posted by: Examples Viral Marketing on August 17th, 2011 at 12:30 pm

  40. I am a big fan of foreign exchange and finance so I find this topic very interesting. I always prefer to undertsand a new method of taking a look at it. Thanks for the information.

    Posted by: Skinny Guy Muscle on August 21st, 2011 at 8:44 am

  41. Enjoy this site very much. Chess training is ongoing; individual play, individual coaching, clubs, tournys, computers, so many opportunities for improved play. What do you think?

    Posted by: pc chess games on September 2nd, 2011 at 1:52 am

  42. succes in your online business

    Posted by: Get 125.000 visitors Free with Mighty Solos on September 26th, 2011 at 6:32 am

  43. indeed.co.in/Railway-Recruitment

    Posted by: AdChoices on October 19th, 2011 at 5:07 am

  44. xristougenniatika dentra,xristougenniatika stolidia,

    Posted by: xristougenniatika on November 9th, 2011 at 7:44 pm

  45. I enjoyed studying this post. I am completely satisfied to search out this put up as a result of I’m interested within the topic.

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 1:00 am

  46. I’m experiencing a challenge with your rss feed . Don’t know why I am not able to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting an identical rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thanks

    Posted by: lancaster auto body on November 11th, 2011 at 9:18 am

  47. One of my favorite posts.

    Posted by: paving west chester on November 11th, 2011 at 9:18 am

  48. I have to verify with you here, which isn’t one thing I often do! I get pleasure from reading a website that may make individuals think. Also, thanks for allowing me to remark!

    Posted by: data recovery boston ma on November 11th, 2011 at 9:19 am

  49. thanks for good content

    Posted by: black friday canon t3i on November 12th, 2011 at 5:32 pm

  50. Reviews Best Buy Online For iPod touch Black Friday Sales

    Posted by: Black Friday iPad 2 on November 12th, 2011 at 7:49 pm

  51. black Friday drivers

    Posted by: blackfridaydrivers on November 21st, 2011 at 1:25 am

  52. Whats up! I simply wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice data you have here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your weblog soon.

    Posted by: screen gazebo on November 22nd, 2011 at 4:49 am

  53. กระ จุดด่างดำ คืนผิวขาวเนียนนุ่มชุ่มชื้นให้แก่ผิว ด้วยส่วนผสมอันทรงคุณค่าจากธรรมชาติ

    Posted by: อาหารเสริม on November 24th, 2011 at 4:38 pm

  54. school of thai massage and spa certificaes Association of thai treditional medicine Appoved by the Ministry of Health

    Posted by: School of thai massage on November 25th, 2011 at 1:07 am

  55. wat a nice post

    Posted by: Movies and TV Series on November 30th, 2011 at 3:12 am

  56. wow… is cool….

    Posted by: toko jasa on December 1st, 2011 at 1:16 pm

  57. Amritsar Temple Pictures,Golden Temple Amritsar Pictures,Harmandir Sahib Amritsar,Swarn Mandir,Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Durgiana Mandir Amritsar,Bada Hanuman Mandir Amritsar,Holy City Amritsar, City Amritsar Pictures, Famous Amritsar Places,Shivala Bagh Bhayian Mandir,Badra Kali Mata Mandir,Chintpurni Mata Mandir,Ram Talai Mandir,Ram Tirath,Model Town,Mata Lal Devi Mandir,Sheeda Sahib,Vaishno Devi Mata Bhawan Pictures,Radha Sawami Baba Ji Pictures,Veer Bhan Shivala,Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib,Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir,Gurdwara San Sahib,Banke Bihari Mandir,Gurdwara Goindwal Sahib,Baba Budha Sahib,Bohli Sahib, Itihasik Temples Pictures Download,Baba Bhoot Nath Maha Kaleshwar Mandir

    Posted by: Abhinav Duggal on December 3rd, 2011 at 1:33 am

  58. Travel Trips has been succesfully catering to travellers across the globe with its well established and secured Global Hotel Reservation System. Our 24X7 customer care support is there all along to help people with their hotel reservations, cancellations and other related issues. Featured are some interesting testimonials from our valued customers vouching for the credibility of Travel Trips.

    Posted by: Travel Trips on December 6th, 2011 at 1:44 am

  59. Thank you so much for this content, Im so lucky and glad that I found this website, Please keep this website going and I will keep

    Posted by: The Visayas on December 9th, 2011 at 11:55 am

  60. smacktom.com provides premium accessories for cell phones with free shipping

    Posted by: headphone on December 13th, 2011 at 7:45 pm

  61. HalloHi is Social Network service . You can write what ever you want you have your space on this site and you can do whatever you want share music , videos , write blogs , read blogs , ask question , answer question , play games , upload documents , do

    Posted by: HalloHi Social Network on December 14th, 2011 at 1:51 pm

  62. HalloHi is Social Network service . You can write what ever you want you have your space on this site and you can do whatever you want share music , videos , write blogs , read blogs , ask question , answer question , play games , upload documents , do what ever you want your free space:))).

    Posted by: HalloHi Social Network on December 18th, 2011 at 3:31 am

  63. مجموعة اعلانكم الاعلانية البريدة المجموعة الاولى للدعاية والاعلان والاشهار

    Posted by: مجموعة اعلانكم الاعلانية البريدية on December 23rd, 2011 at 12:49 am

  64. Hey this is awesome blogs. Keep posted usefull information. Thank you

    Posted by: roll up awnings on January 5th, 2012 at 5:24 pm

  65. very educational I will revisit to see what more great information I can recieve here.

    Posted by: sweets on January 10th, 2012 at 6:09 am

  66. Yes I like your comments and i hope you also like my suggestion here. Please click to view.

    Posted by: Recreation and Business on January 14th, 2012 at 11:35 am

  67. polnische-band-hochzeit.motet.de

    Posted by: Deutsch polnische Band, polnische Hochzeitsband, Hochzeit, Hochzeiten on January 27th, 2012 at 3:44 am

  68. Hi ….. I have information about Whirlpool washers, you should read them and get tips and tricks commersial business with Whirlpool washers.

    Posted by: whirlpool washers on January 27th, 2012 at 10:51 am

  69. MOTET - Deutsch Polnische Band polnische Band polnische Hochzeitsband polnische Hochzeitsmusik

    Posted by: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- on January 27th, 2012 at 5:45 pm

  70. Very Nice Website you have, from where did you got it made? kindly tell me the developer you hired.

    Posted by: Marriage Palaces on January 27th, 2012 at 10:47 pm

  71. Die MOTET Band hat unsere deutsch polnische Hochzeit im Hamburg mit Live-Musik begleitet.

    Posted by: www.polnische-band-hochzeit.motet.de on January 29th, 2012 at 7:44 pm

  72. I am looking for information about the Nakamoto family kamon. Any help and information would be really appreciated.

    Posted by: David Nakamoto on February 4th, 2012 at 7:51 am

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag