Black Aoi Crest Mofuku

An all-black formal kimono featuring the Maru ni Mitsuba Aoi crest — three hollyhock leaves enclosed in a circle. This motif, known as the Aoi-mon (葵紋), is one of Japan’s most recognisable family crests, historically associated with the Tokugawa shogunate, the ruling family of Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868).
The Mitsuba Aoi came to symbolise authority, refinement, and continuity, and variations of it were later adopted by other families who admired the Tokugawa legacy. Worn on formal garments such as montsuki, the crest represents respect for tradition and the enduring influence of the samurai era.
This piece, likely from the mid–Shōwa era (1950s–1970s), is crafted from matte black silk — elegant in its restraint, dignified in its simplicity. Originally used as mofuku (mourning wear), it now carries quiet historical significance and timeless minimalist beauty.