hitotsutomoe

Hitotsu-tomoe (一つ巴) is a single tomoe motif used in Japanese heraldry. The name combines hitotsu, meaning “one” or “single,” with tomoe, a stylized comma-shaped swirl (the kanji 巴). It is one of several tomoe designs used as kamon, or family crests; other variants include futatsu-tomoe (two tomoe) and mitsudomoe (three tomoe). The hitotsu-tomoe consists of a solitary, curved swirl, often with a tapering end and rounded head, and may vary in orientation depending on the crest.

Origins and symbolism: Tomoe motifs are ancient in Japan, appearing in art and heraldry from early periods. They are generally associated with movement, cyclicity, and protective power, and in some traditions with Shinto cosmology. The mitsudomoe form, featuring three swirls, is especially linked to Shinto deities and warrior symbolism; the single form shares the broader thematic associations but in a more restrained design. The exact origins of the hitotsu-tomoe are not universally fixed, but it is commonly understood as a simpler variant within the same symbolic family.

Usage: The hitotsu-tomoe appears in historic kamon and can still be found in modern logos, crafts, and architectural ornamentation that draw on traditional motifs. It is less common than the more elaborate mitsudomoe, but remains part of the broader tomoe tradition in Japanese design.

See also: Mitsudomoe; Kamon.