This is an extraordinary piece of work. Notice that even though the piece is justified, the colour of the text is even throughout, with no obvious rivers or anything. The shape it makes on the page is gorgeous too. Really quite something to look at for a long time. You can read more about it, and download the PDF of it here.

I found this image of a poster months ago, and I’ve no idea where it was. I’d really like to get hold of a higher resolution image (or a print) and to find out what was shown in the exhibition.

[UPDATE: I found our where I got the image. It was here, on the nonist. Still no hi-res version though]

I need to know so much more about the typeface in this image. I found the image in this pingmag article on Dainippon Type Organization, where there’s a little bit of info, but I can’t find anything beyond that. Feed me facts!

Ah, the joy of technology. Posted from an e61 while sat in the pub. Sadly the phone is not mine… It’s bloody good though. I want the successor to it, the e61i. Then I could take pictures and blog those too!

Continuing the Japanese theme, in my collection of inspirational graphics is this little gem, from pingmag’s article on Japanese fonts on sake bottles. If you’re really interested, there’s another feature on their site added recently about sake bottle labels in general. The label was designed by GRAPH, who have an online portfolio of their work online. Go and visit, and drool.

Digging through my collection of pictures I come across this collection of Mon. I’ve been fascinated by these heraldic devices for a while and wondered what the rules were governing them. Well, Wikipedia to the rescue:

Mon (紋, Mon?)(plural mon), also monshō (紋章, monshō?), mondokoro (紋所, mondokoro?), or kamon (家紋, kamon?), are Japanese family heraldic symbols. Mon refers to any symbol, while kamon and mondokoro refer specifically to family symbols. Mon are sometimes called “badges”, “crests” or “family crests” in English.

A mon consists of a roundel encircling a design (such as feathers, flowers, or some man-made object). They are somewhat like coats of arms in that they are either associated with a particular clan or family, or an individual who has achieved some variety of public recognition. The designs are usually stylised versions of traditional Japanese themes, such as bamboo. Artists may choose something symbolising their art; a fan design might be chosen by a geisha.

I love Wikipedia. Interesting that people nowadays use the inkan instead. I’ve always wanted to do my own inkan — as it closely resembles the western form of printer’s mark. I really want to have my own Mon too, though. What kind of Mon would a designer/photographer/typographer have though? And would it be considered unforgivably gauche for a westerner to create their own? Well dammit, I want one. Maybe I could just use the crown image from this site…

I love this. I love the way the star and crescent make such clear shadows on the ground. Go take a look at this post on Jan Chipchase’s site for more pics.