森晴進堂 Moriharushindou - 平安紋鑑 Hei-An-Mon-Kan - 1974 Size: 12.5×18×2 cm Weight: 225 g Number of pages: 218 Number of “(MON 紋)” listed: Approx. 5,000 pieces Date of year: 1974 (Showa 49 昭和四十九年)　 The family crest (MON 紋) originated in Japan around the late Heian period (794-1185) as a “marker” that court nobles (aristocrats) uniquely placed on their clothing and belongings. The court nobles would put crests on their oxcarts so that the oxcarts could be recognized at a glance as belonging to their own family, and family crests came to be used not only for their visual beauty, but also as a unique mark of each family. The family crests of court nobles are graceful, with some designs based on the patterns of the kimono they wore or the flowers they favored. Family crests developed in samurai society from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) onward, and it was not until the Meiji period (1868-1912) that the general public was permitted to use family names and crests. People often used the family crests used by the lord of the castle or local masters as they were, or changed them slightly. Family crests are not regulated by law and are not recorded in family registers, so there is no need to report them. You are legally free to use the family crest of your choice. Do you have an old Japanese one? Katana, Kabuto, Yoroi, Kimono, books, etc. You may find “family crests” on them. Therefore, this book has the role of a dictionary. If you look up in this book, you may find what you have. This book was republished 50 years ago. The original version of the book dates from the Edo period. The number of crests listed in the book is amazing: 5,000 Japanese family crests can be seen at once. Very cool. Old thing is beautiful, this is great book. Carefully packed and shipped overseas from Japan. We have other rare items up for current auction,so please check back.