Location: Matsumoto Castle (松本城), Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture. Size: 10 x 8 x 2 cm 6 icons of the family logo from Matsumoto Castle. The Matsumoto Domain has undergone six changes since the Ishikawa family, and was successively ruled by the Ogasawara family, the Toda Matsudaira family, the Echizen Matsudaira family, the Horida family, the Mizuno family, and the Toda Matsudaira family, all of whom used Matsumoto Castle as their residence. It has a cross knot with it, the symmetrical structure of the cross knot symbolizes harmony and balance also meanings of “connection” and “protection.” The cross knot, as a decorative knot, may represent tightly tying together good wishes and prayers. Under the influence of Shintoism, tied ropes (shimenawa) and decorative knots are often seen as symbols of protection and warding off evil. Tsuko-Tegata is a kind of wooden passport that was used in the Edo Period as an identity card for travelers when passing from region to region. They had been sold a lot in Showa period as mingei type souvenirs all over Japan. It's also a protector for safety and peace for family.
