Zaku Naguwashi Series

Japanese Sake for Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten Ltd.

This is a premium sake developed specifically for luxury restaurants, aiming to be included on wine lists as one of the options for food pairing. The design challenge was to convey a distinctive sense of Japanese identity. The design draws inspiration from traditional Japanese motifs such as shide, the sacred paper streamers used in shrines to mark the boundaries of the divine, and origata, the ceremonial art of folding paper. These elements successfully convey not only their physical forms but also the deeper spirituality and essence of the Japanese people.

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Zaku Naguwashi by Yasushi Uemura

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Japanese Sake by Yasushi Uemura

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Yasushi Uemura Zaku Naguwashi

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Yasushi Uemura Japanese Sake

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Yasushi Uemura Designer Portrait Photo

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Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten Ltd Brand Logo

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Unique Properties

A premium Japanese sake designed for luxury restaurants primarily in Europe and America. It was created with the goal of being featured on wine lists as one of the basic options for food pairing, alongside wines.

Tags

Sake, Japanese sake, Zaku, Drink Package, Japan, UemuraDesign, Traditional

Production Technology

In this label design, small cut-out holes were made to express the folded shapes of paper. Since the holes are extremely small, they are manually cut. As sake labels need to be durable when placed in coolers, synthetic paper was used to give the appearance of traditional paper while providing the necessary durability.

Design Challenge

Sake in wine bottles can easily be mistaken for wine, making it challenging to create a design that immediately conveys 'Japan.' To express sake through traditional Japanese imagery, we drew inspiration from elements such as 'shide' (white paper streamers used in Shinto rituals) and 'origata' (envelopes folded to convey respect), incorporating these symbols into the design to represent Japanese spirituality.

Project Duration

This project started in Mie Prefecture, Japan, in 2020, and by April 2023, three varieties of the series were completed. Sales began in Tokyo and other parts of Japan, and the product is also available in Europe and the United States. The sales continue.

Operation Flow

It is mainly served in restaurants in Europe and the United States that serve sake. By adding sake to the menu, which has previously offered a wide variety of wines, the restaurant can provide a broader selection. This gives guests the opportunity to explore new flavors and experience choices they haven't had before, while also sparking an interest in Japanese culture.

Research

In recent years, sake has become popular in the Western market. Usually, sake bottles are written in Japanese and are often difficult to understand. So, I expressed it using traditional Japanese imagery in a way that a sommelier at a Western restaurant could intuitively understand.

Inspiration

The design emphasizes Japanese spirituality to highlight the unique characteristics of sake. It draws inspiration from traditional motifs, such as "shide," the paper streamers used in Japanese shrines to mark sacred boundaries, and the art of "origata," the traditional method of folding paper in ceremonial practices.

Project Overview

Zaku Naguwashi Series Japanese Sake has been a Golden winner in the Packaging Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Gold A' Design Award is granted to designs that demonstrate a high level of innovation and a significant impact on their intended audience. Recognized as a major achievement by the A' Design Awards, these designs are characterized by their visionary approach and the exceptional skill of their creators. Winners of the Gold A' Design Award are noted for their ability to push the envelope in art, science, design, and technology, delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. These designs serve as benchmarks for excellence, encouraging further innovation and inspiring future generations of designers.

Image Credits

For design images and photos please credit Yasushi Uemura.

Golden Recognition

Yasushi Uemura was recognized with the coveted Golden A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Zaku Naguwashi Series Japanese Sake.

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