5 Japanese traditional family crest

【Mitsudomoe and Vortex of water】
There are various theories about origin of Mitsudomoe design. There are theories that the motif is a magatama, which is traditional decoration and moon or fish but, there is no particularly leading theories at present. There is also a theory that it represents the shape of water swirling, and it has also been used for roofing tiles, etc. as charm of fire prevention. Depending on the number of swirls, it may be called Hitotsudomoe to Yotsudomoe, and there are clockwise and counterclockwise for the swirl, and some Hutatsudomoe stand are lined up, so there are so many variations. Our company adopts clockwise Mitsudomoe.

【Katabami and Oxalis】
Design in the motif of Perennial Oxalis. 漿 means sap and oxalis is full of sour sap (oxalate) as the name suggests. Katabami has been used as a family crest for people's prosperity and family luck because Oxalis has a high fertility rate and is difficult to eliminate once it has taken root. This is most popular family crest and it is one of the 5 major family crests. Regarding the reasons for the popularity of Katabami design, it seems that the theory "because it resembles the Aoi crest of Tokugawa family" is influential. ("Tokugawa aoi crest" of Tokugawa clan derives "Katabami crest" of Sakai clan in Tokugawa four devas and, their crest has a throwback like from Katabami to Aoi and from Aoi to Katabami.)

Aoi-mon and Katabami family crest
↑Here are Tokugawa aoi crest and Katabami crest.
These are very similar.

【Thundercloud and Lightning】
Thunder is called lightning, which is a expression comes from Japanese ancient faith that "a wife will be pregnant" or "the rice plant will be ripe" if lightning strikes. In other words, the god of the thunder is the god of agriculture. And the rain after thunder is a important element for a good harvest. The combination of thunder and cloud (rain cloud) was very luck for the farmers. But it was rarely used as a family crest because it also has a meaning as a charm ( amulet against evils).

Lightning family crest
Original thundercloud family crest
Products are arranged the design to match round santoku and candle stand.

【Mitsuwa and Three overlapping rings】
Ring are often overlapped (from 2 to 7 rings) , which is symbol of harmony. Ring can expand to up, down, left and right, so it is also said to symbolize prosperity. It's a magnificent story that the universe overlap, but the size of scale is also satisfactory if you think that it is based on Buddhism.

Cloisonne pattern
Another famous pattern which motif ring is Cloisonne. This represents 7 kinds of treasure, and also means that human relationships is also more important than treasure.

【Mitsuba and Leaves of Kashiwa】
In ancient times, the leaves of Kashiwa had a meaning as sacred trees, such as people served a treat on Leaves of Kashiwa and offered to God. And it has been regarded as a lucky charm that means that the family line doesn't break (prosperity) because leaves of Kashiwa don't fall until they are budding even if leaves died in fall. Famous lucky charm until now is kashiwa-mochi we eat on Tango no Sekku as you know. By the way, clap is called "Kashiwade-wo-utsu" at the shrine, but this comes from that leaves of Kashiwa are similar to people's hands.

Kashiwa leaves family crest
This is general family crest of daimyo oak.
"Santoku" is an arrangement of this pattern as a motif.

Sundries from SISIKU

Hibachi braziers-Set,Santoku,Candle Stand,Flower Vase,Bamboo Charcoal etc

5 Japanese traditional family crest

Products designed in the motif of family crest

Mitsudomoe

Katabami

Thundercloud

Mitsuwa

Mitsuba

Umebachi crest