Family Crests of Japan

(Paperback)

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Description

Bold, iconic designs have been used to symbolize family names in Japan from the time of the court nobles in the twelfth century. The sense of family has changed in modern Japan, but the crests high-contrast motifs and simple geometries are right at home in our logo-emblazoned age, even as the designs express old cultural interests and ideals: cherry blossoms, well buckets, floating clouds. This book contains over 850 family crests (kamon) with descriptions, cultural backgrounds, and a selection of photographs showing how crests are used on banners, signs, and buildings. Of special interest to graphic designers, quilt-makers, and illustrators.

Reviews

Family Crests of Japan, is a comprehensive presentation on a subject that reveals much about Japanese values, but few people give much thought to. Both a guide and art catalog, the book helpfully groups kamon (family crests) into easily understandable categories.

--The Japan Times