Ikeda Triple Gentian Bicycle Playing Cards

The 'Ikeda Triple Gentian' crest was used as the secondary crest by the Ikeda family, who ruled over more than 310,000 koku in Bizen, Okayama. In 1635, Mitsumasa's third son, Terutoshi, was given 15,000 koku and established a branch family in Ikuzaka, Bicchu (Okayama Prefecture). Their official crest was the 'Ikeda Triple Butterfly,' and their alternate crest was the 'Triple Gentian.' In 1672, when Mitsumasa retired and his eldest son, Tsunamasa, succeeded him, he gave his younger brother, Masatoki, 25,000 koku of newly developed land and established another branch family in Kamogata, Bicchu. Their official crest was the 'Facing Butterfly,' and their alternate crest was the 'Triple Gentian.' (According to 'The Family Crests of Daimyo Families' by Kenichi Takahashi). In 'A Study of Official Crests' by Manjiro Fukui, this crest is referred to as the 'Okayama Ikeda Triple Vine Gentian' and is listed as the secondary crest of the Ikeda family of Bizen, Okayama. The secondary crest of the branch families of Kamogata and Ikuzaka is listed as the 'Ikeda Branch Family Triple Gentian,' a design without vines.