The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Last updated 9/1/2024

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Fold and Cut Family Crests (Mon)
 
This page us being used to record information about the history of Japanese Fold and Cut Family Crests or Mon. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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1841

This Japanese print from 1841 shows three women, or perhaps children at play. The standing figure is playing with string, the figure at bottom right is folding paper. A completed Paper Crane and what appear to be a Sanbo on Legs and a Crab lie on the floor. The figure on the left is holding scissors and a square of paper folded up and ready to be cut into the shape of a crest. Three completed crests lie on the floor at her feet. Source: Catalogue of an exhibition on paperfolding history held in Tatsuno City History and Culture Museum in 1999. According to this catalogue the wording mentions that 'the central angle can be divided into 3 or 5 equal parts'.

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1905

'Shukouka Kyohon : Liron Jishuu Souga Setsumei' by Kikujiro Kiuchi, Rokushiro Uehara and Hideyoshi Okayama, which was published by Shigebei Takase in Chiba in 1905 contains several pages of fold and cut designs (only one of which is shown below) which appear to be designs for family crests.

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1907

'Shukou Tebikigusa : Kokumin Kyoiku Origami Yuihimo' by Ishin Nishigaki, which was published by Meguro Shoten in Nagaoka in 1907 contains instructions for making fold and cut family crests. Only one of several pages is shown here.

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