家紋
Japanese
![]() 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
- On’yomi
- (Tokyo) かもん [kàmóń] (Heiban – [0])[1]
- IPA(key): [ka̠mõ̞ɴ]
Noun
家紋 (hiragana かもん, rōmaji kamon)
- 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 (mondokoro)
- 定紋 (jōmon)
References
- 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN