70 Years of Japan and Ireland

2027 will mark the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland.

Earlier this year the Japanese Embassy in Ireland announced an open call for the design of a logo celebrating this diplomatic milestone. I thought long and hard about what kind of motifs could best represent the bonds between our nations. I thought about the harp and the Claddagh, about rainbows and interwoven colours. I thought about our national flora, the shape of the shamrock and the sakura blossom. I though about our flags’ shared white and its different meanings in each country, and I thought about how to use green and red as high-contrast, complementary colours.

I decided to focus on the aesthetic commonalities between Celtic graphic art, going back centuries to scribed manuscripts, and the Japanese craft of mizuhiki. Mizuhiki are complex, decorative knots, created with fine paper cords of various colours. They often ornament gifts for special occasions and seasonal decorations. The visual commonality between these practices is striking. They both come from deep cultural and traditional roots in each nation and the motif of interwoven strands is ideal for the commemoration of warm diplomatic relations between our states.

My logo design

My logo shows how our nations have become increasingly interwoven over these seven decades, a rich exchange celebrated by this special knot. This design is inspired by a motif in the historic Book of Durrow, an Irish treasure dating back to the 10th century. The balance of recognisable flag colours is complimented by the white bands, suggesting peace and the bright, as yet unwritten pages of the continuing friendship between our nations.

My logo design with an alternative text treatment

During the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2017, I was living and working in Yamagata as part of the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program cohort. I remember an uptick in interest in Irish culture and sport, particularly when the Irish men’s rugby team visited for a two-match summer tour. I used the 60th anniversary logo on my English-language noticeboard in school to highlight the strong connection between our nations. With my background in design and textiles and I wanted to contribute a design celebrating the international friendship which I have benefitted from and, in some small way I hope, contributed to positively.

Black and white treatments of both logo designs

The Japanese Embassy are currently considering submissions. I look forward to seeing the selected logo!