Family system has not yet been thrown away by the Japanese people and so is the case of the family symbols also. 'Ka-mon', the Japanese expression for family symbols was originated from 'Ka' and 'mon' which mean family with its own ancestral tree and emblem respectively. History of Ka-mon traces back to 1200 AD.
The Europeans also had the custom of adopting family symbols at that time, which was named 'Coat of Arms' . This similitude has been a stimulant for a number of comparative studies between these two symbols.
No doubt, the Japanese family symbol boasts diverse and unique characteristics which are impossible to decipher by giving them generalized explanations.
The mon as the Japanese symbol for family is known has no real defined set of rules. The most usual feature is that of a disc which is circling the figure of an animal, plants, immortal or natural bodies and even man-made objects.
Kanji script, which is an inevitable element of Japanese art forms, can be seen in the family symbols also. Religious and geometrical figures also are used to create these symbols. Normally these scripts and figures would be put in an abstracted form.
Although there are no set up rules for the construction of mon symbols, their names are decided by the figures they consist of. Unlike the European symbols, the name is only an explanation of the symbol and does not reveal the real representation of it. The figures on these symbols turn into fashion throughout the ages as they get the label of tradition and mythology.
There is not a specified rule for the colour selection also. Even so, they are generally found in monochrome. The usage of family symbols are unaccustomed in Japan nowadays. Although there are some families that stick to use them, several families will not be able to identify their mon because it has been marked as an old-fashioned practice.
In case any family needs to identify their mon, there are a number of ways to find it. The temple records keep the details of the ancestral home towns of people and these records can help when need arises.
The Japanese family symbols are available for sale at many of the conventional arts and crafts shops all over the world. You will find the family symbol to be used in the interior decorations of restaurants as well as on ceramic roof tiles. Many Japanese packed foods also contain the mon.
The Europeans also had the custom of adopting family symbols at that time, which was named 'Coat of Arms' . This similitude has been a stimulant for a number of comparative studies between these two symbols.
No doubt, the Japanese family symbol boasts diverse and unique characteristics which are impossible to decipher by giving them generalized explanations.
The mon as the Japanese symbol for family is known has no real defined set of rules. The most usual feature is that of a disc which is circling the figure of an animal, plants, immortal or natural bodies and even man-made objects.
Kanji script, which is an inevitable element of Japanese art forms, can be seen in the family symbols also. Religious and geometrical figures also are used to create these symbols. Normally these scripts and figures would be put in an abstracted form.
Although there are no set up rules for the construction of mon symbols, their names are decided by the figures they consist of. Unlike the European symbols, the name is only an explanation of the symbol and does not reveal the real representation of it. The figures on these symbols turn into fashion throughout the ages as they get the label of tradition and mythology.
There is not a specified rule for the colour selection also. Even so, they are generally found in monochrome. The usage of family symbols are unaccustomed in Japan nowadays. Although there are some families that stick to use them, several families will not be able to identify their mon because it has been marked as an old-fashioned practice.
In case any family needs to identify their mon, there are a number of ways to find it. The temple records keep the details of the ancestral home towns of people and these records can help when need arises.
The Japanese family symbols are available for sale at many of the conventional arts and crafts shops all over the world. You will find the family symbol to be used in the interior decorations of restaurants as well as on ceramic roof tiles. Many Japanese packed foods also contain the mon.
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Traditional Japanese art is quite eclectic in its modes of expression. For more info on Japanese zodiac symbolism click on the links herein.
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