Paulownia crest


The paulownia crests are mon that depict the paulownia. The most notable of the crests is the 5-7 Paulownia, which is sometimes known in English as the government crest due to its use by the prime minister, the Cabinet, and parts of the executive branch of the Government, and is one of the national [emblems of Japan]. Paulownia crests come in a number of different designs, and are also sometimes known as the paulownia flower crests.

History

Before the Imperial [Seal of Japan|chrysanthemum crest] was used extensively, the 5-7 paulownia originally was the private symbol of the Imperial [House of Japan|Japanese Imperial Family], from as early as the sixteenth century. The Toyotomi clan, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, later adopted the paulownia for use as the crest of his clan. After the Meiji Restoration, the crest was eventually adopted as the symbol of the Japanese government.
As a result, it is now mainly used by the Japanese government, as a contrast to the chrysanthemum crest which represents the emperor as the symbol of the sovereignty of the State, and members of the Imperial Family.

Designs

More than 140 designs exist of the paulownia crests. The most common one is the 5-3 paulownia, consisting of three leaves and an inflorescence of 3-5-3 flowers. It is used by the Ministry of Justice, the Imperial [Guard (Japan)#Imperial Guard of the National Police Agency (1947-)|Imperial Guard Headquarters], and the University of Tsukuba.
The 5-7 Paulownia and 5-3 Paulownia are also called "Go-shichi Giri" and "Go-san Giri" without the particle "no" respectively, due to consonant mutation known as rendaku in the Japanese language. The paulownia crests contain the leaves and flowers of Paulownia tomentosa, which is called "kiri" or "shirogiri " in Japanese.
DesignImageNameJapaneseDescription
5-3 Paulownia"Maru ni Go-san no Kiri"丸に五三桐According to a study by Japan Kamon Society, about 70% of the paulownia crests use this roundel of the 5-3 Paulownia.
5-3 Paulownia"Go-san Oni Kiri"五三鬼桐The 5-3 Paulownia flowers of this design resemble onis sharp horns.
5-7 Paulownia"Go-shichi no Kiri"五七桐The plain 5-7 Paulownia has been used by those in power and is the official emblem of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the Government today. It resembles a stylized paulownia with 5-7-5 flowers.
5-7 Paulownia"Taikō Kiri"太閤桐Toyotomi Hideyoshi used the 5-3 Paulownia and 5-7 Paulownia crests, and this was one of his official mon. A retired kampaku was called ', which commonly referred to him.
Other"Tosa Kiri"土佐桐The Tosa Yamauchi clan used this variant, which came from the crest that Yamauchi Kazutoyo received from Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Other"Kiri Agehachō"桐揚羽蝶This design shows a swallowtail butterfly mimicking paulownia. It resembles the swallowtail butterfly mon'' used by the famed Taira clan, which was one of the most important and powerful clans of Japan.