Japanese family crest

The origin of the Japanese family crest or mon goes back to the eleventh century when high ranking officers began displaying embroidered emblems on the formal attire all courtiers had to wear at the Imperial Court. They soon started to display them on their carriages as well. With time, the designs became more refined and elegant. These emblems later became the formal mon (crests) still used on formal Japanese garments.

 

Originally only the members of a family would wear such crest. They soon became worn by all samurai belonging to a clan.