Maru ni ichi no ji, a Japanese family crest consis Mug

The crest known as "Maru-ni-Ichi-no-ji" features a single character. The character was likely chosen for its clear strokes, making it easily recognizable, as well as its martial and auspicious connotations. According to "Reference Taiheiki," the single character was interpreted as "katakinashi," or invincible, which was likely a reason for its selection as a crest. The fact that many warriors during the Sengoku period used this character in their names, reading it as "katsu," or victory, supports this interpretation. For example, Yamauchi Tosa-no-kami's name was written as "Kazutoyo" but read as "Katsutoyo," and Takigawa Kazumasu's son was named "Katsutoki." The character was often used to signify honor, such as "first to arrive" or "first to take a head," indicating its auspicious and celebratory connotations. (From "Japanese Crests" by