家紋

Japanese

家紋 (kamon): Various kinds of mon or family crest.

Imperial family crest and seal of Japan.	Family crest of the Tokugawa clan.
Family crest of the Oda clan.	Family crest depicting an upright arrowhead leaf.

Kanji in this term
家	紋
か Grade: 2	もん Grade: S
on'yomi

Etymology

The reading is a kan'on-goon combination, suggesting that this term was probably coined in Japan of Middle Chinese-derived elements as a compound of 家 (ka, “house, family, household”) +‎ 紋 (mon, “mark, design, pattern”).

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) かもん [kàmóń] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [ka̠mõ̞ɴ]

Noun

家(か)紋(もん) • (kamon) 

1. a crest for a household or family

   Similar to the heraldic badges and coats of arms in European heraldic tradition. Initially held only by aristocratic families, then gradually adapted by commoners.

Synonyms

• 紋所(もんどころ) (mondokoro)
• 定紋(じょうもん) (jōmon)