Saigo Takamori

Description of Saigo Takamori

Saigo Takamori (1828 – 1877)  is known as the “last great Samurai,” a hefty title. One of the most influential samurai within Japanese history, Saigo Takamori was also one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. Saigo Takamori played a key role in many important battles and sieges and played an active role in governance and military affairs. Saigo Takamori played an important role during the initial periods of the Meiji government and was essential in the abolition of the han system and the establishment of a conscript army. However, he opposed many of the new changes such as opening up trade with the West, and was a vocal advocate of increased military spending and modernization.

Style Variations

Bold – Light – Outlined – Colorable
Each variation is included in the file package.

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.