Japanese heraldry and heraldic flags

Abstract

Japan's culture is the only one other than that of Western Europe to create a fully developed heraldic system. It is quite different from European heraldry in form and means of expresion, but shares its basic function as a hereditary system of distinctive marks to indentify individuals, families, and institutions. The Japanese heraldic system is often seen as baffling and opaque, even by scholars trained in European heraldry. The essay which begins on page 13 is an attempt to make understanding and enjoyment of Japanese heraldry and heraldic flags available to non-specialists. It also outlines the basic grammar of Japanese heraldry, and provides a glossary of English blazon for Japanese heraldry and presents Japanese heraldic vocabulary (from the editor's preface).

Contents

Understanding Japanese heraldry / by David F. Phillips -- Blazon of flags on plate 16 -- Japanese heraldry, battle flags and standards in the age of the samurai / by Emmanuel Valerio -- Heraldic devices on modern Japanese flags / by Nozomi Kariyasu -- Introduction to the literature on Japanese heraldry.