Huaya
A kaō (花押, Chinese reading: huãyã) is a stylized signature or a mark used in place of a signature. Kaō first appeared in China during the Tang Dynasty, and began to be used in Japan during the Heian period.[1] Though their use became far less widespread after the Edo period, they continue to be used even by some contemporary politicians and other famous individuals.[2] The reading and identification of individual kaō often requires specialist knowledge; whole books devoted to the topic have been published.[3]
See also
- East Asian calligraphy
- Tughra, stylised Arabic signatures used by Ottoman sultans
References
- ^ 望月 鶴川 (June 2005). 花押のせかい (The World of Kaō). Chōyōkai. ISBN 4903059037.
- ^ Satō Shin'ichi (佐藤 進一) (September 2000). 花押を読む (Reading Kaō). Heibonsha Library. ISBN 4582763676.
- ^ 上島 有 (December 2004). 中世花押の謎を解く―足利将軍家とその花押 (Cracking the Riddle of Kaō from the Middle Ages: The Ashikaga Shogunate and their Kaō). Yamakawa Publishing. ISBN 4634523302.