The problem of the origin of ka-mon family crests in Japanese historiography

The origin of Japanese heraldry is the most controversial topic in the study of historical development of heraldry in Japan. Historiography of this subject began at the end of the 17 th century when the famous scholar and politician of the Edo period Yamaga Sokou (1622-1685) had formulated the first hypothesis on the beginnings of heraldic symbols and causality in the change of family crest patterns. Then, the study of this topic was continued by eminent scholars Arai Hakuseki (1657-1725) and Ise Sadatake (1717-1784). Identification of the background of the heraldic symbols was a topic of special concern in the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Considerable success was gained in the 20 th century when researchers procured extensive historical sources, including Chinese and Korean historical documents. An important contribution to understanding origins of the Japanese heraldry was made through hereditary heraldic symbols in the society of the Edo period (1603-1868). That stimulated collection and analysis of historical sources to be used as foundation for more advanced theories. Through comparative analysis of the historical sources of different periods, the scholars, such as Namatke Tsunenori, Numata Raysuke and Takasawa Hitoshi, had formulated innovative hypotheses, which later assumed theoretical and methodological basis of modern research on Japanese heraldry. The article presents the content and features of most popular and influential theories. There are analyzed those historical sources which served the basis for early hypotheses. The author found that some theories have similarity in determination of the fundamental problem: when and how first heraldic symbols emerged; outlined differences in transformation of patterns in the family crest and the role of estates in the formation of Japanese heraldry. In describing the characteristics of the various theories, attention is paid to methods of problem-solving of the priority function of the family crest because the latter has an important role in the process of studying the development of heraldic system at later stages, particularly the functional aspect of development.