Ishimoto Sake Brewery, Koshi no Kanbai

A “Bold Yet Delicate” Identity for a Prestigious Sake Brand

NDCLA provided branding and art direction for IshimotoShuzo, a sake brewery based in Kameda-go, Niigata Prefecture. “Koshi no Kanbai,” the brewery’s signature sake series, is one of the most renowned and prestigious sake labels in Japan. The logo, statement, packaging, and product names were carefully developed under a unified concept in order to communicate the brand’s quintessential values.

Client :

Ishimoto Sake Brewery Co., Ltd

Year :

2015

Industry :

Food & Drink

Visual Identity

Symbol / Logo

The logo incorporates a hexagon symbolizing snow and a circle symbolizing a plum blossom, as the term “koshi no kanbai” refers to a plum variety that endures the cold winter to blossom in the early spring. The logo is altered from an existing font to visualize the crisp, clear flavor of the sake. The pattern derives from Kameda-go, a village surrounded by two rivers.

Web / App

Package

Ichirin Itteki

Ichirin Itteki is a daiginjo (highest grade) sake celebrating Ishimoto Sake Brewery’s 110th anniversary, with a limited edition of 3900 bottles produced. The label utilizes gloss foil stamping and embossing to instill a firm core and a silent beauty through a seemingly understated design, embodying Ishimoto Sake Brewery’s philosophy of “bold yet delicate” for this exquisite sake made with all of the brewery’s skill and passion.

Kin Muku

Sai

Sai is the first new sake from Ishimoto Sake Brewery in 40 years. The vibrant blue bottle and the asagi (traditional Japanese teal color) label exemplify the flavor of this fresh and light sake created for a young audience. A newspaper ad and pamphlet were created to accompany its release.

FROM NIGATA 2020

Lagoon

Umeshu

Umeshu

Like the traditional sake, the package design of Umeshu plum liquor evokes the identity of Koshi no Kanbai. The box and label are crafted to evoke the fragrant spring colors of the season, and are adorned with silver plum blossoms that evoke the glamour and dignity befitting Koshi no Kanbai

Otsu-Shochu

Born from the search for the ideal sake, Ishimoto Sake Brewery’s authentic Otsu-Shochu is intended to be “the distilled spirit of the world.” The design embodies the belief that “truly good sake transcends nationality and culture to enrich people’s lives,” and can be seen through the powerful and dignified appearance that has come to represent Koshi no Kanbai.