家紋

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 家紋(かもん) means a family crest, a symbolic design identifying a particular family line.
• Basic usage: It is used for a crest placed on a formal jacket or for identifying a lord from a crest carved into roof tiles. Typical patterns are 羽織に家紋が入る and 家紋から領主が分かる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Notice both decoration and identification
  • It is not merely an ornamental pattern but a design that symbolizes and identifies a family.
• Difference from 紋章
  • 紋章(もんしょう) broadly denotes an emblem for an organization, state, or other body, while 家紋 specifically identifies a family.