Fukushima Masanori

Description of Fukushima Masanori

Fukushima Masanori (1561 –  1624) was a Japanese daimyō of the late Sengoku period to early Edo period. Fukushima Masanori was a lord of the Hiroshima Domain. He was also part of Hideyoshi’s loyal retinue. Having fought in the battle of Shizugatake in 1583, he became known as one of Seven Spears of Shizugatake. There are claims that he was Hideyoshi’s cousin, but these have not been proven. Nonetheless, Fukushima Masanori was a warrior during battles and awarded several stipends and honors throughout his life. After his military display during the Korean Campaign wherein he took Chongju, Masanori was awarded even higher stipends and more honors. However, as years passed Masanori sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara. This alliance helped ensure that his domains would survive and he would continue to rule. Later on, he did lose his holding but his descendants were able to continue on. Masanori’s descendants ultimately became hatamoto in the service of the Tokugawa shōgun.

Style Variations

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Japan main description

Japanese Symbols

The Japanese family crests or Mons have a similar role as the English family crests. The Japanese family crest symbols, or Mons are a coat of arms used to represent families and individuals, and more recently, businesses and institutions. There is little known about the origin of these crests and the Japanese family crest symbols, but it is commonly believed that the tradition started as a fabric pattern to identify aristocratic families and individuals. It eventually evolved to being used in battles, and then became a common way of identification, even for commoners. In terms of design, there were no hard and fast rules. There seemed to be a general consensus to use a roundel that would encircle some sort of figure when designing Japanese family crest symbols. This could be a plant, a man-made shape, a natural or celestial figure as one part of it. Other mon used religious symbols, kanji, and other shapes in their design as well. The mon was also designed to be monochromatic, and colors were generally eschewed. For commoners, however, the use of the mon, or the Japanese family crest symbol was tricky. If they had none, they would either adapt the mon of their patron or organization, or failing that, used what would be considered inappropriate mons, or developed their own altogether. The usage and choice of mons came with their own rules and were largely dictated by social customs - and its usage was monitored and enforced. For example, it was considered inappropriate to use a mon or Japanese family crest symbol already in use by someone else, and especially offensive if held by someone of a higher rank. If a situation such as that occurred, the lower-ranking person would have to change their mon or Japanese family crest symbol in order to avoid any offense or wrongdoing. Mons held by the ruling Japanese clans were legally protected and could not be used by others.