Government Seal of Japan

A version of the Paulownia Seal used by the government of Japan
The seal is utilized in the official emblem of the Japanese Prime Minister

The Government Seal of Japan, also called the Paulownia Seal (桐紋 kirimon), the Paulownia Flower Seal (桐花紋 tōkamon) or the Paulownia of 5-7 (五七桐 go-shichi no kiri), is a crest (mon) used by the Cabinet and the Government of Japan on official documents.

One version is used as the official emblem of the Prime Minister of Japan. It resembles a stylized paulownia flower with 5-7-5 leaves. Before the Chrysanthemum Seal was used extensively, the Paulownia Seal originally was the private symbol of the Japanese imperial family from as early as the twelfth century. The Toyotomi clan, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, later adopted the Paulownia Seal for use as the crest of his clan. After the Meiji Restoration, the seal was eventually adopted as the emblem of the Japanese government.[1][2]

It is now still mainly used by the Japanese government, as a contrast to the Chrysanthemum Seal which represents the Emperor as the symbol of the sovereignty of the State, and members of the Imperial Family.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Griffis, William Elliot (1876). "Sūjin, the Civilizer". The Mikado's Empire. New York, United States: Harper & Brothers. p. 67. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  2. ↑ Dalby, Liza (2007). "Paulownia Blooms". East Wind Melts the Ice: A Memoir Through the Seasons. California, United States: University of California Press. p. 51. Retrieved 2010-01-17.