Symbols of Tokyo
The Japanese city of Tokyo has two official emblems: the "monshō" ("crest") and the "shinboru" ("symbol"). The crest is a six-rayed sun with a dot in the center, while the symbol is a stylised ginkgo leaf. The city has two official flags, featuring each emblem. Metropolitan crest. The was adopted on November 2, 1943, under the . 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 , an alderman of the city. The crest shows a six-rayed sun (which, as  a red-filled circle without rays or a dot, is in the center of the national flag of Japan), 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 ("kyō") of 東京 ("Tokyo"), but the metropolitan announcement does not explain as such. As a flag. The was adopted on October 1, 1964, under the . It features a white Metropolitan Crest on center. The background color is , 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 was adopted on June 1, 1989, under the . The design was selected by the from 20 candidates. The winning design was created by , 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. As a flag. The was adopted on September 30, 1989, under the . 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.