noun
tomoe; comma-shaped heraldic design
A traditional Japanese design of interlocked comma-like swirls, often seen in family crests, shrine decorations, and taiko drum motifs.
家紋に三つ巴が使われている。
A triple tomoe is used in the family crest.
太鼓の皮には巴の模様が描かれていることがある。
The drumhead sometimes has a tomoe pattern painted on it.
The origin of the word ともえ is uncertain. The kanji 巴 is conventionally used for this design.