OUR LOGO

THE RYOKAN COLLECTION

THE RYOKAN COLLECTION
Our Logo
This original kamon crest represents the Ryokan Collection philosophy of communicating the ritual, nobility and refinement of Japanese hospitality to the world with a wisteria flower. Noble families since the Heian Period (794-1185) have loved wisteria and have used it as a symbol of fecundity, with the many blossoms representing a multitude of descendants. Similarly, we hope that the international guests who stay at our hotels and ryokans will come to see the beauty of Japan and each unique region, finding ever more reasons to return. Since around 1300, the same time ryokans come into existence, kamon crests have been used to represent family lineages. For the modern world, we hope this kamon will come to represent the lineage of beauty and ritual that is the Japanese ryokan.

Designers
Monsho-uwaeshi / Kyogen Inc., CEO: Shoryu Hatoba (Photograph right)
Born in 1956.
Recognized for his talent during his early childhood, Shoryu received specialized education from his father Minamoto to become a Monsho-uwaeshi. Through his inheritance of the family trade of hand-painting Kamon on kimono as a Monsho-uwaeshi, his desire to keep the tradition of Kamon alive but in a new light only grew stronger, and at the age of 50, he began production of Kamon artworks by hand. The game-changer was when his son Yohji taught him how to use Adobe Illustrator in 2010. Shoryu then began expressing his art of Kamon in the digital world, expanding his realm of expression, and embarking on a new service for the family business with the concept of “Kamon as a design”. His activities extend far and beyond as one of the few artisans and designers in existence today, combining both the skills for handcrafted work and digital work for this traditional form of art.

Monsho-uwaeshi : Yohji Hatoba (Photograph left)
Born in 1983.
From a very young age, Yohji was surrounded by his father Shoryu’s Kamon work. With the launch of “Studio Kyogen” as an eye-opener for him on design, he began learning how to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop on his own. Growing up with a constant source of Kamon within reach, the technique of Japanese calligraphy he began at the age of 8, and the balance of knowledge he acquired through such teachings, have all been pivotal in his design work today. As he continues to train in the art of Monsho-uwae, under the guidance of his father Shoryu Hatoba, Yohji spreads the word of Kamon and its appeal… both within Japan and abroad.


About Kamon
What is Kamon or Mon (Family Crests)
The term Kamon refers to family crests that are native to Japan. In ancient times, the Kamon was created to serve as a unique emblem to represent each family’s identity, separate to that of the family name. It differs from the “heraldic device” used by European countries, in that anybody can have one. Kamon is a unique culture and tradition that can only be found in Japan.
The use of Kamon began with “Shinra-bansho (All of Nature)” as its motif, and has nurtured to its existence today for over 1,000 years. It is said that there are over 50,000 distinct individual designs passed down into existence today.
The role of the Kamon has varied throughout the eras. The fact that the designs hold a close familiarity for Japanese people while also being highly flexible, today, the Kamon are not only used as family crests, but can also be seen in a wide variety of settings, such as original Mon designs in the world of traditional performing arts and as logo designs for companies and commercial facilities.


Contact - Kyogen
3-2-4, Higashi-Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo,
110-0015 Japan
Mail: info@kyo-gen.com
Website: www.kyo-gen.com