[Manuscript scroll: 'Trade Directory' for use by English-speaking merchants in Japan]. (c.1866)
The
scroll shows the coloured crests, income, and the name of the governor from the
various prefectures.
Crests
and heralds were traditionally used by samurai families on kimono,
furnishing goods, flags and cow carriages. The designs are based on plants,
animals, natural phenomena, implements, structures and traditional patterns,
characters and marks. Nowadays, they are rarely seen except for the montsuki hakama (crested
kimono for men) and tomesode(crested kimono for women) worn on some
special occasions. They can also be seen on some gravestones.
