Symbols of Tokyo


Tokyo Metropolis has two official emblems. One is called the crest and the other is called the symbol. It also has the two official flags, featuring either emblem.

Metropolitan crest

The Crest of the Tokyo Metropolis was adopted on November 2, 1943, under the Metropolitan Announcement No. 464. It is same as the crest of the former Tokyo City, decided by the city council in December 1889. It is believed to be designed by Hiromoto Watanabe, an alderman of the city.
The crest shows a six-rayed sun, with a dot in the center representing Tokyo as the metaphorical center of Japan. As with most other prefectural crests in Japan, its color is not designated. The crest can also be interpreted as a version of the kanji 京 of , but the metropolitan announcement does not explain as such.

Metropolitan crest flag

The Flag of the Tokyo Metropolis was adopted on October 1, 1964, under the Metropolitan Announcement No. 1042. It features a white Metropolitan Crest on center. The background color is Edo purple, which was popular in Edo, the name of Tokyo during the Edo period. This shade of purple is one of the traditional colors of Japan, and is near identical to Web Indigo.

Metropolitan symbol

The Symbol of the Tokyo Metropolis was adopted on June 1, 1989, under the Metropolitan Announcement No. 577.
The design was selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symbol Selection Committee from 20 candidates. The winning design was created by Rei Yoshimura, a professional graphic designer.
The vivid green symbol consists of three arcs combined to resemble a leaf of the ginkgo, the metropolitan tree, and represents T for Tokyo.

Metropolitan symbol flag

The Symbol Flag of the Tokyo Metropolis was adopted on September 30, 1989, under the Metropolitan Announcement No. 978. It features a vivid green Metropolitan Symbol in its center. The background color is white.

Uses

Both emblems and their corresponding flags are the official insignias of Tokyo. The Metropolitan Crest and the Metropolitan Flag are older and are used on more formal occasions. They are also used on traditional or historical objects, as well as the things of the longer duration of use.
On the other hand, the Metropolitan Symbol and the Metropolitan Symbol Flag are more commonly used, including its official website, the metropolitan-operated buses and trains.

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