Hi Rich
It is family emblem/crest of Aizu han/Aizu clan. Aizuhan is one of Tokugawa family and allowed to use Mitusba Aoi. It is called "Mitusba Aoi" mitsuba= three leave, Aoi = name of Plant. I cannot tell botanical name. It is belong to Malvaceae family. hibiscus, okra are related plant. There are many Aoi are used among Tokugawa Families and few of royal warriors of Tokugawa family were allow to use the emblem.
Emblem on soup bowl particulary called " Aizuhanko Aoi"
Aizuhan is name of clan. "ko" is like sir in English.
I asume it is used for lord of Aizu clan and it's family.
Aizu is north of Tokyo faceing pacific ocean , Today's Iwate ken.< not for sure >
Aoi is not tree or shurb. It can be viney plants or grass plant.
Aizu han resited to New meiji goverment at end of tokugawa era/ beging of Meiji era. many mothers. wive, sisters, dougthiers killed them self to make it sure that hasband, son, brothers, can fight without warrying thir mother, wife sister, doughtiers. The end of battle many of warrior killed them self instead of being prisoner. young boys 12 to 15 also joined to battle . at the end of battle all boys are also killed themself. after battle, warrior of Kangun /Meiji goverment solders went to Aizu, and burned most of Aizuhan building to ground. Suvivors of Aizu clan did not want to get job from Meiji goverment , so they went to Hokkaido to develope land. Many died in hunger,and could not develope farmland sucesefuly.
Ginkgo have nothing to do with your soup bowl emblem.
you may able to find "Kamon/ family emblem book from Amazon.com ........ If you cannot find book , let's me to know, I will find it for you.
Mike Yamakami |
