1534–1582. One of the most powerful and influential warlords of the Sengoku period, born in Owari. He crushed Imagawa Yoshimoto at the Battle of Okehazama and shattered the Takeda cavalry at Nagashino, pioneering revolutionary tactics and mass gunnery that laid the foundation for the unification of Japan — before being betrayed and killed by Akechi Mitsuhide at the Honno-ji Incident.
A traditional crest passed down through generations of the Oda clan, its design a simplified rendering of a melon flower. The clean, dignified pattern reflects the disciplined character of an Owari warrior, and some accounts say it was originally bestowed by the imperial court.
1537–1598. Rising from peasant origins, he unified all of Japan within just a few years of Nobunaga's death — an almost unheard-of ascent. He reshaped early modern society through the Sword Hunt and the Taiko land surveys, and later commanded the invasions of Korea.
Based on the paulownia crest granted to him by the imperial court, this emblem became a symbol of aristocratic prestige once Hideyoshi took the Toyotomi name and rose to the rank of Chancellor and Imperial Regent.
1543–1616. Born in Mikawa, he triumphed at the Battle of Sekigahara and founded the Edo Shogunate. His achievement laid the groundwork for 260 years of stability, bringing the age of civil war to a definitive close.
The iconic emblem of the Tokugawa clan, combining three hollyhock leaves into a single crest. It emphasized the family's claimed descent from the Minamoto clan and became famous worldwide as the official crest of the Edo Shogunate.
1521–1573. Known as the "Tiger of Kai," Shingen clashed with Uesugi Kenshin five times at the Battle of Kawanakajima. His brilliant strategy and skilled domain governance transformed Kai into one of the most formidable states in Japan.
A crest built around the flower-diamond motif long associated with the Takeda clan, symbolizing their proud lineage as descendants of the Kai Genji. Together with the famous "Furinkazan" battle banner, it became an emblem of the Takeda army's might.
1530–1578. Feared as the "Dragon of Echigo," he fought fierce campaigns against Shingen at Kawanakajima. Renowned for waging war in the name of righteousness, he remains remembered as the archetypal warlord of honor.
Built upon the traditional bamboo-leaf crest of the Uesugi clan with a sparrow added, this design depicts a sparrow fluttering through a bamboo grove — said to reflect Kenshin's modest, incorruptible character as well as his deep devotion to the god Bishamonten.
1567–1636. Known as the "One-Eyed Dragon," he pacified the Oshu region and built the powerful 620,000-koku Sendai domain. Serving both Hideyoshi and Ieyasu, he was also celebrated for his shrewd diplomatic skill.
One of the Date clan's principal crests since its founding generation, tracing its origin to a legend of being bestowed by Minamoto no Yoritomo. The three vertical lines are also said to invoke the protective blessing of a dragon deity.
1497–1571. The archetypal master strategist, he rose from a small landholder in Aki to dominate the entire Chugoku region, defeating Sue Harukata and annihilating the Amago clan through masterful diplomacy and military genius.
A crest handed down through the Mori clan, combining a simple horizontal line with three stars — a fitting emblem for a family that rose from minor Aki gentry to become one of the great warlord houses ruling the Chugoku region.
1515–1571. He brought the Later Hojo clan of Odawara to the height of its power, styling himself Kanto Kanrei and standing toe-to-toe with both the Takeda and Uesugi. He was also celebrated as a masterful administrator of his domain.
The famous scale-pattern crest of the Later Hojo clan, an emblem carried since the days of the founder Hojo Soun. It became especially renowned during Ujiyasu's reign, when the clan stood as the dominant power of the Kanto region.
1519–1560. A powerful daimyo of Suruga who dominated the Tokai region until he was struck down by Oda Nobunaga at the Battle of Okehazama. He was also a devoted patron of culture and Buddhism.
A paulownia crest bestowed by the imperial court, symbolizing the prestige of the Imagawa clan, which ruled Suruga, Totomi, and Mikawa. It stood as a proud emblem of the era when Yoshimoto was hailed as "the finest bowman on the Tokaido."
1528–1582. Famed for igniting the Honno-ji Incident, he served with distinction as one of Nobunaga's closest retainers before his sudden rebellion — only to be defeated and killed shortly after at the Battle of Yamazaki, his bid for supremacy lasting barely days.
The bellflower crest of the Akechi clan. The pale blue shade Mitsuhide especially favored is said to evoke an image of elegance and sharp intellect.
1560–1600. A trusted aide to Hideyoshi, he led the Western Army at the Battle of Sekigahara in direct confrontation with Tokugawa Ieyasu. Defeated, he was executed in Kyoto — remembered as a warlord of unwavering loyalty.
Said to derive from a phrase Mitsunari invoked on the battlefield, this crest transforms the characters into an emblem expressing hope for lasting peace under heaven and the unbreakable unity of one's retainers.
1567–1615. Born Sanada Nobushige, known to history as Yukimura, he fought with legendary ferocity for the Toyotomi cause at the Summer Siege of Osaka, driving the Tokugawa forces to the brink at the fortified Sanada Maru — a tragic hero remembered ever since.
A crest unique to the Sanada clan, its six-coin motif linked to the custom of carrying six coins as toll money for the journey to the afterlife, and, by other accounts, symbolizing the unity of six loyal retainers.
1562–1611. A trusted general raised up by Hideyoshi, he won renown for his valor during the invasions of Korea and built the mighty Kumamoto Castle. After Hideyoshi's death, he went on to serve Ieyasu.
The crest of the Kato clan, its bold circular design resembling a snake's eye came to symbolize Kiyomasa, lord of Higo and builder of Kumamoto Castle — a fitting emblem for one of Hideyoshi's fiercest hand-raised generals.
1561–1624. A trusted general raised up by Hideyoshi, he sided with the Eastern Army at Sekigahara and became lord of the Hiroshima domain, though he was later stripped of his lands. He is remembered for his bold spirit and unwavering sense of loyalty.
The arrowhead-plant crest of the Fukushima clan. Like his comrade Kato Kiyomasa, Masanori was one of Hideyoshi's hand-raised generals, and the crest reflects the bold, spirited character typical of an Owari warrior.
1546–1604. Known formally as Kuroda Yoshitaka, he served as Hideyoshi's chief strategist, distinguishing himself in the campaigns against the Mori and Kyushu. He sided with the Eastern Army at Sekigahara and laid the foundations of the Fukuoka domain.
The wisteria-and-tomoe crest of the Kuroda clan, famed as the emblem of Kanbei — the brilliant strategist who served as Hideyoshi's master tactician.
1538–1599. He served both Nobunaga and Hideyoshi, ruling as the dominant power of the Hokuriku region and establishing the foundations of the Kaga domain. After Hideyoshi's death, he stood as one of the Five Great Elders supporting the Toyotomi regime.
The plum-blossom crest of the Maeda clan, symbolizing Toshiie — a trusted retainer of Hideyoshi who governed the Hokuriku region and laid the foundations of the mighty million-koku Kaga domain.
1539–1599. A Sengoku daimyo of Tosa who set his sights on unifying all of Shikoku, only to surrender to Hideyoshi. Following the conquest of Shikoku, he went on to serve both Hideyoshi and Ieyasu as one of Tosa's most celebrated warlords.
The crest of the Chosokabe clan, symbolizing Motochika's rise from a local lord of Tosa to the near-total unifier of Shikoku. The wood-sorrel motif was a popular crest among warlords of the Shikoku region.
1535–1619. A fierce general of the Shimazu clan who helped conquer Kyushu, he became legendary for the daring "Shimazu Retreat" at Sekigahara — a feat so bold it earned the wary respect of even Tokugawa Ieyasu himself.
The cross-shaped crest of the Shimazu clan, an emblem of the mighty house of Satsuma, famed for embodying Yoshihiro's ferocious style of combat.
1530–1587. A daimyo of Bungo, he embraced and protected Christianity while promoting trade with the Portuguese and Spanish. He clashed repeatedly with the Ryuzoji and Shimazu clans in the struggle for dominance over Kyushu.
The apricot-leaf crest of the Otomo clan, symbolizing Sorin, who ruled northern Kyushu from his base in Bungo. He is also famed for his conversion to Christianity.
1529–1584. Known as the "Tiger of Hizen," he conquered much of northern Kyushu before falling in battle against Shimazu Yoshihiro. Though his reign was cut short, he had built one of the most formidable domains of his time.
The crest of the Ryuzoji clan, symbolizing Takanobu's expansion of power across northern Kyushu from his base in Hizen. This distinctive many-legged design was a crest unique to the Ryuzoji house.
1547–1612. He led the Satake clan of Hitachi and submitted to Hideyoshi's authority. Siding with the Eastern Army at Sekigahara, he went on to found the Akita domain, standing as the leading power of northern Japan.
The fan-shaped crest of the Satake clan, the signature emblem of the house that dominated Hitachi Province. It symbolizes Yoshishige's success in unifying the region under his rule.
1546–1614. He led the Mogami clan of Dewa Province, contending fiercely with Date Masamune while serving both Hideyoshi and Ieyasu, ultimately establishing the foundations of the Yamagata domain.
The two-line crest of the Mogami clan, symbolizing Yoshiaki's rule over the Mogami territories of Dewa from his base at Yamagata.
1545–1573. Head of the Azai clan of northern Omi, he fought against his brother-in-law Nobunaga at the Battle of Anegawa and took his own life after his defeat. Married to Nobunaga's sister, Lady Oichi, he remains one of the great tragic figures of the era.
The crest of the Azai clan, symbolizing Nagamasa's rule from Odani Castle on the shores of Lake Biwa. He famously clashed with the combined forces of Oda and Tokugawa at the Battle of Anegawa.
1533–1573. Head of the Asakura clan of Echizen, he presided over the flourishing of Ichijodani culture before taking his own life during Nobunaga's invasion of the province. He is remembered as much for his cultivated refinement as for his role as a warlord.
The melon-flower crest of the Asakura clan, symbolizing Yoshikage's rule over Echizen Province from his stronghold at Ichijodani. His house fell in the wake of Nobunaga's invasion of Echizen.
1561–1602. One of Tokugawa Ieyasu's closest retainers and one of the legendary Four Guardian Kings of the Tokugawa, he distinguished himself at Sekigahara and elevated the Ii family to daimyo status, though he died from wounds suffered in battle.
The mandarin-orange crest of the Ii clan, symbolizing Naomasa, one of the celebrated Four Guardian Kings of the Tokugawa. He is also famed for leading the fearsome "Red Devils" — the crimson-armored Ii cavalry.
1556–1595. A trusted retainer of Hideyoshi, he built Aizuwakamatsu Castle to keep watch over Date Masamune. A cultured man of refined taste, he was also a patron and protector of Christianity.
The facing-crane crest of the Gamo clan, symbolizing Ujisato, who served both Hideyoshi and Ieyasu and ruled from his base at Aizuwakamatsu.
1534–1610. Known formally as Hosokawa Fujitaka, he served under Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu in turn. Siding with the Eastern Army at Sekigahara, he laid the foundations of the Tango Miyazu domain and is remembered as a true warrior-scholar.
One of the crests of the Hosokawa clan, reflecting Yusai — known also as Fujitaka — a warrior celebrated as a man of letters, distinguished in the arts of classical poetry and the tea ceremony.
1535–1585. A close aide to Nobunaga and one of his Five Chief Administrators, he governed Echizen and Kaga and supported Hideyoshi's rise to power. After Nobunaga's death, he continued to serve under Hideyoshi.
The crossed-line crest of the Niwa clan, symbolizing Nagahide, a trusted retainer of Nobunaga who governed Echizen and Kaga provinces.
1522–1583. A close aide to Nobunaga and the dominant power of the Hokuriku region, he was defeated by Hideyoshi at the Battle of Shizugatake and took his own life at Kitanosho Castle. He was married to Nobunaga's sister, Lady Oichi.
The wild-goose crest of the Shibata clan, symbolizing Katsuie, a trusted retainer of Nobunaga and dominant power of the Hokuriku region who later stood in fierce opposition to Hideyoshi.
1567–1643. Lord of the Yanagawa domain, he fought for the Western Army at Sekigahara and was stripped of his lands, only to later reclaim Yanagawa. He remains celebrated as a great warlord known for his loyalty and martial valor.
Legend holds that Muneshige received a divine revelation from the god of Gion in a dream and placed the sacred Gion guardian amulet atop a folding fan to create this crest — a design entirely unique to the Tachibana clan.