- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Alexander Derrick Townson
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to Derrick Akito Townson
August 20, 2020
Vol. VII, p. 276
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per pale Argent and Azure on a chevron between three foxes’ heads erased, three ivy leaves each within an annulet, all counterchanged;
Crest
A houou wings displayed Or, issuant from flames proper;
Motto
利発は分別の花;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Differenced Arms for Derrick Akito Townson, son of Alexander Derrick Townson
The Arms of Alexander Derrick Townson debruised of a three-point label Or during his father’s lifetime. This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Symbolism
Arms
The fox heads allude to Mr. Townson's roots in England by honouring his great-grandfather, Percy Townson, who rode to hounds in North Staffordshire and later was a member of the Holcombe Hunt in Lancashire. The Japanese mon, or badge, is that of the Oya family from Arita in Kyushu, Japan, the ancestral family of Mr. Townson’s wife Machiko. Blue and white are often found in Japanese ceramics and textiles, particularly in porcelain from Arita. The two colours and the counterchanged design also reflect the coming together of two cultures in Mr. Townson’s family—English and Japanese.
Crest
The phoenix, rising from the flames, is a symbol of resilience.
Motto
Meaning “Intelligence is the flower of discernment,” this Japanese phrase is attributed to Nabeshima Naoshige, a feudal lord known as an early patron of Arita’s porcelain industry.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Derrick Akito Townson, son of Alexander Derrick Townson
The three-point label indicates that he is the first-born child and will inherit the full arms.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 27, 2021, in Volume 155, page 1317 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Alexander Derrick Townson and Teva Vidal, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Palina Klimava
Calligrapher
Luc Saucier
Recipient Information
Individual