Facing Tortoise Lumbar Cushion

The tortoise has several species. The water tortoise (stone tortoise) and the soft-shelled turtle live in ponds, while the sea turtle lives in the sea. The family crest features the water tortoise. There is a design featuring the shape of a water tortoise with hair resembling a straw coat. In the family crest, this is called 'Minogame' (straw-coated tortoise). It is believed that this is not a special tortoise separate from the Minogame, but rather one with aquatic plants like algae growing on its shell, originating from the tortoise shell. The 'Kokin Chomonshu' records that around 1145-51, a person from the western region presented a tortoise with hair about one shaku long to Chisokuin Temple, and it was considered an auspicious tortoise. (From 'Nihon Monshogaku')