Station #47: Seki was a busy town, being at a crossroads where one road branched off to the Grand Shrine at Ise and another to Yamato Province. Its key location attracted many prosperous travelers. Hiroshige gives us a peek into a five-star inn for high ranking fuedal lords. Retainers set up curtains with the distinquished visitor's family crest or mon, prominently displayed. Mon originated in the early years of the Heian Period (794 - 1185) as emblems on the carriages of the nobility to distinguish among the owners. Most depict auspicious plants that possess talismanic power against evil. For example, the chrysanthemum crest of the Imperial Family was created because the chrysanthemum is a medicinal plant and a protection against evil. In addition, there are many crests that are designed after letter characters and animals. In the 12th century, mon spread to warriors and were used to mark many kinds of objects, beginning with flag emblems in times of war. Later the use of mon spread to the commoner families. Estimates put the number of family mon at about 12,000 in Japan.

Image Copyright: Minneapolis Institute of Art