Hotta Mokko Notepad

The crest used by the Hotta family's legitimate line, the Masatoshi family, was initially 'a vertically oriented mokko (wood apple symbol) at the corner with cut-off edges.' It was changed to the current crest on July 22, 1679 (Tensho 7). According to 'Kansei Choshu Shoka Fu,' the current crest is 'Hotta Mokko with a stone-holding background.' This change occurred nearly 20 years after the main family line became extinct. Moreover, the Hotta family's territory, which had been transferred to the Ou region, was returned to its old ties in Sakura in 1746 (Enkyo 3). During the tumultuous late Edo period, the Hotta family produced Masayoshi Hotta, the last senior councilor. Masayoshi faced difficulties due to the signing of the provisional treaty with American envoy Harris. He was replaced by Naosuke Ii, who was later assassinated outside Sakuradamon Gate. (Kenichi Takahashi, 'Daimyo-ke no Kamon,' p.213). The Hotta Mokko differs from a simple vertically oriented mokko with a stone-holding background.