Kikkoman advertising, 1950 - 1969
Comments: 14
On the way home the other night I stopped, on impulse, by a second-hand bookstore where I found a folder containing prints and a booklet on Kikkoman’s advertising from Japan’s post-war reconstruction years. The artwork, by illustrator Ōhashi Tadashi, is absolutely superb, the work of a real master, and despite the fact that the illustrations I’m going to show you in this series are all still under copyright and are used without permission, I really think such witty, charming, revealing and accomplished examples need to be kept alive and known.
Perhaps I can keep the cease and desist letters at bay by urging you to go out and buy a large bottle of Kikkoman soy sauce if you enjoy these ads anywhere near as much as I do.
It seems that Ōhashi, who died April 10, 1998, was quite the master of illustrating vegetables, and even published a book on them.
His fish are wonderful, too, muscular and delicate at the same time, and he brilliantly combines Japanese and Western design sensibilities in his illustrations, which range across styles from woodblock to more a more naturalistic style that demonstrates, dare I say it, an Audubonesque power to observe.
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Posted to Advertising • 2005.03.05 (Sat) • 13:31
Comments
Posted by pketh 2005.03.05, 15:48
crosses fingers Any chance this could be sized up for desktop wallpaper?
Going out to buy some Kikkomen :D
Posted by Gfunk 2005.03.05, 17:50
Go out and buy some Kikkoman soya sauce anyway— i’ve tried them all, from various parts of asia, and nothing comes close to that beautiful taste and aroma you only get from Kikkoman. These days I’ve gotta buy the stuff by the 2-litre bottle coz I go through it so quick. Luckily I live 100 meters from chinatown :)
Posted by gassit 2005.03.05, 18:02
More importantly, any chance of a poster I wonder…
Posted by pketh 2005.03.05, 23:05
poster size works too :)
Posted by Aegir 2005.03.06, 02:45
Hey I’ve been buying Kikkoman soy sauce for years! I really could do with a poster of that image… it’s inspired me to finish some fonts I’ve been drawing.
I know it’s a breach of copyright (is it though?) but any chance of a really nice high res scan of it? Pretty please? With icing on?
Posted by Ian Irving 2005.03.06, 06:15
And when the suject of Art and Kikkoman comes up, don’t forget the classic (Flash) Kikkoman, from the planet Soy
Posted by Steve Truett 2005.03.06, 11:24
Thanks for posting, I really enjoyed it. Really crisp lines, who needs vector programs when you have a steady hand.
Posted by wetwebwork 2005.03.09, 06:37
Stunning! Ok, no more Amoy soy sauce, Kikkoman it is. crosses fingers too Any chance it could be wallpaper sized?
Posted by jason 2005.03.09, 08:12
Are you sure these images are copyrighted? I mean, under U.S. law they just might be, but Japanese law might be different.
Posted by jh 2005.03.09, 23:47
I’d love to make larger versions available, but I feel like I’m sailing close to the wind as it is: I’m posting copyrighted material. Posting it as I’ve done is likely fair use (I am not a lawyer, blah blah) given that we’re, um, discussing graphic design and advertising history and examining the work of a wonderful illustrator.
Maybe what I could do is contact Kikkoman, tell them about the terrific free advertising they’re getting (you’re all buying bottles and bottles of the sauce, right?), and see what they say.
I can’t see how it hurts.
Posted by jh 2005.03.09, 23:57
Jason — Sorry: you’re comment got held up while I tried out yet another anti-spam measure.
I’m pretty sure they’re still protected, but I’ll look into it. Like I say, Kikkoman might be into it anyway for the free advertising.
Posted by Will 2005.04.01, 15:28
I made a really simple but cool (i think so at least) wallpaper out of the kikkoman fish, I know some of you were interested, email me at WillObermann12345@yahoo.com if you want it.
Posted by Bunny 2005.12.07, 03:30
Its very well printed, I do believe I will be using it in a research paper I’m writing for my AP English class. “Advertisement in the 1950s and ho it compares to modern day” thanks.
Posted by DjastMail 2005.12.26, 02:44
GooD Style For Your Web site
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