Niwa Sujikai Magic Mug

【Niwasujikai】The crest of the Niwa family, the lord of the Mutsu and Nihonmatsu domains / This design is based on the one published in 'Monsho' by Kosaku Ito, as well as the crests on Buddhist altar furnishings and a horse's 'hishaku' (dipper) stored at Dairinji Temple, the family temple of the Niwa clan, as shown in the photos in the same book. (Drawn on April 5, 2013) / 'Sujikai' is also written as 'Sujichigai', and is also called 'Chigai-bo' or 'Nihonmatsu Chigai', etc. Due to the confusion with the similar 'Chigi' crest and the families that use them, it is thought that they may have originated from the same source, but the circumstances of their origin are still unknown, and therefore their significance is also unclear. (Takazawa Hitoshi et al., 'Kamon no Jiten') / During the Nanbokucho period, this crest was used as a group flag along with 'Futahiki-ryō' and 'Meyui', as described in 'Taiheiki' (16). The 'X' shape is thought to have been devised as a simple mark and used as a symbol for families and clans. (Kosaku Ito, 'Nihon no Monsho') / The 'Sujikai' crest is also written as 'Sujichigai' (Numata Ryosuke, 'Nihon Monshogaku')