Kikusui Pillowcase

Kikusui is considered to be a variation of the chrysanthemum crest. According to "Studies on Japanese Crests" by Yoriyoshi Numata, "the Kikusui crest is a type of chrysanthemum crest that symbolizes both chrysanthemum and water." In the crest books "Heian Monkan" and "Mon Den" from the Showa period, Kikusui is also classified as a chrysanthemum crest, so we follow their classification here. Kikusui was originally the crest of the Kusunoki family and is also the divine crest of Minatogawa Shrine and Shijonawate Shrine. There are several theories about the origin of this crest, but it is generally considered that Masashige Kusunoki was given the imperial chrysanthemum crest by Emperor Go-Daigo, and out of reverence, he modified the lower half of the chrysanthemum to resemble water. This explanation is considered to be the most plausible based on the character of the Kusunoki family (according to "Studies on Family Crests" by Manjiro Fukui). The design is also thought to have originated from a Chinese legend that people living in valleys with flowing Kikusui water live long lives due to the life-prolonging properties of the chrysanthemum. The Kusunoki, Wada, Hashimoto, and Kaisho families used this crest (according to "Japanese Crests" edited by Kosaku Ito).