Tomoe

The Tomoe (巴jap ), or tomoe - mon (巴 纹) is a Japanese abstract emblem consisting of one, two or three comma- or pearl-like shapes. In most cases, it is used as house coat of arms (家 纹, kamon ), Scream symbol (神 纹, Shinmon ) or used company logo. It is named after the emblem of his resemblance to a whirlpool (巴, tomoe ), but there is also the view that leaves Tomoe an archaic curved jewel (勾 玉, magatama ) represents a further etymological explanation introduces the term on the hand guard of archers (鞆 tomo ) back.

Most often, the triple Tomoe (三つ巴, mitsudomoe ) can be found, but there are also single, double and even quadruple Tomoe emblems, each manufactured in left and right-handed version. The clearance may be similar in this form a Triskele.

The Tomoe is generally regarded as a symbol of Japanese deity Hachiman, but neither is it solely limited to Hachiman, nor use all of Hachiman shrines a Tomoe symbol. Many Hachiman shrines for example, use a pigeon symbol, while the famous Tsurugaoka Hachiman- gu Shrine in Kamakura, in allusion to the place name Tsurugaoka ( = Crane Hill) uses the well-known crane symbol that graced the air fleet of the Japan Airlines until 2002. On the other hand, the tomoe - mon sometimes also found in Buddhist temples, such as on roof shingles. As a universal religious symbol, it is also often on the traditional Japanese drums ( taiko ) mapped.

A certain affinity between Tomoe symbol and Hachiman can be proven yet. Thus the sign of the Wako Pirates was used, the Hachiman had chosen as her special patron god. Perhaps through mediation Wako both Hachiman and the Tomoe icon in the Ryukyu island kingdom were (now Okinawa ) known and accepted by the local royal family.

The word Tomoe can be worn in Japan as a name of both men and women. The most famous example is the semi-legendary Tomoe Gozen, one of the few female samurai figures.

Flag of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, 1875-1879 with triple Tomoe

Dual - and triple - Tomoe at a kagura performance at the Ise Shrine