Niwa sujikai

【Niwasujikai】A family crest of the Niiwa clan, 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' (a type of ladle) stored at Dairinji Temple, the family temple of the Niiwa clan (created 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 (according to 'Kamon no Jiten' by Hitoshi Takazawa). / The 'Taiheiki' (Vol. 16) records that this crest was used as a group flag during the Nanbokucho period, along with the 'Futahiki-ryō' and 'Mekketsu' crests. The 'X' shape is thought to have been devised as a simple mark and used as a symbol for families and clans (according to 'Nihon no Monsho' edited by Kosaku Ito). / The 'Sujikai' crest is also written as 'Sujichigai' (according to 'Nihon Monshogaku' by Yoriyoshi Numata).