Searching for Japanese Family Crests

A customer who previously requested us to create a family tree requested us to research the family crest. Family crests are often passed down from generation to generation, but many people do not know the family crests of their ancestors because they branched off into several generations, were replaced in childhood, or were not passed down to their descendants when they moved.

How to find a family crest

There are several ways to find a family crest, but the most reliable method is to check the family crest engraved on the gravestone or Buddhist altar of the main family. However, if the main family has already died out, moved far away, or the grave has been removed, we will not be able to check the family crest.In such cases, you can find people with the same surname near the place where your ancestors used to live and ask them about their family crest. Although it is not possible to say for sure that they are relatives just because they have the same surname, it is highly likely that they are distantly related or use a common family crest. If you cannot find the main family or people with the same surname, you can also look up the family crests for each surname in the area from documents and other sources. However, based on the documents alone, unfortunately, it is unlikely that the family crest is the family crest of the ancestors, so the information is only for reference.

Viewing old land registers

In this case, the family tree was created first, so the family register had already been acquired, and we were able to obtain the oldest family register that can be obtained under current law. When we obtained a residential map of the area around the oldest registered domicile, unfortunately, there was no sign of the main family members living there. However, by viewing the old land register, we found that there were many people with the same surname living in the surrounding area, and that they had been living there for a long time. We do not think that they are descendants of the main family, but they are probably distant relatives.

Letters to people with the same surname

We sent letters to people with the same surname identified in the old land register asking about the family crest they use, and many of them replied, and we were able to tell us the family crest they use. People with the same surname in that area use the same family crest, and we also found from books that they use the representative family crest of that surname in that prefecture.Although I couldn’t say with 100% certainty because I couldn’t find a descendant who inherited the main family, I was able to tell the client that “their ancestors probably used this family crest,” which made the client very happy.

What is the old land register?

This is a land register that was used from the Meiji period to the mid-Showa period, and it shows the land owner. You can get a copy from the Legal Affairs Bureau that has jurisdiction over the land.

We have created an English page for people living overseas who have roots in Japan.

We will research your ancestors, family crests, and create family trees for those with roots in Japan.
Please feel free to contact us.
https://kakeizu-sakusei.com/familytreecreation/