kirimon (paulownia)
Kirimon (桐紋) means "paulownia crest". It consists of 3 leaves with a set of flowers rising from each. It is the crest of the Toyotomi clan and was later adopted for use by the Japanese government.
Variations
There are many variations of the crest. One of the most important distinctions is the number of flowers shown. Variations with 5-7-5 flowers (五七桐 go-shichi no kiri) are usually considered the highest status. Examples:
- the Toyotomi clan
- the Prime Minister of Japan
- Government Seal of Japan
Variations with 3-5-3 flowers (五三桐 gosan kiri, 5-3 paulownia) are the most common [1]. "It is found in the emblem of the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Guard Headquarters. According to a study by Japan Kamon Society, about 70% of the paulownia crests use 'Maru ni go-san kiri' (丸に五三桐), a roundel of the 5-3 Paulownia." [1]