WorkGraphic Design

Beautiful publication celebrates the traditional Japanese tea culture

This stunning publication is the work of Tokyo-based designer, Masaomi Fujita. Each page is filled with colourful photography by Akiko Oshima of creative design agency Tegusu, which truly brings to life a still thriving Japanese tradition.

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Two book covers side by side for I Know Japan publications about Japanese tea, each featuring a woman in traditional dress within a red circle against a light background

Shizuoka Prefecture is the largest producer of tea in Japan. It is also the World Heritage site that's home to Mt. Fuji. Japanese Tea is a photo collection published by Nikko Graphic Arts, a long-established company which has run a business in Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka Prefecture, for 70 years.

Fujita explains his inspiration for the book: "The purpose of publishing this book is to introduce Shizuoka’s tea culture to the world, and the book tells you about the history and tradition of tea, the extension of tea culture in our time, and so on, through beautiful photographs and writing."

The book has been exhibited at book fairs in Paris and London, so both English and French versions have been produced.

The concept for the design also relates directly to Japanese culture – the cover holding elements of traditional Japanese style, with gold foil letters and a tea flower symbol.

Discover more at tegusu.com.

Via Behance | All photographs copyright of Akiko Oshima

Hands opening Japanese Tea publication by Masaomi Fujita, revealing red cover and cream interior page with subtle tea imagery
Hands holding open the Japanese Tea publication designed by Masaomi Fujita, showing a portrait of a tea producer wearing white uniform and headband on the left page
Two hands holding open Masaomi Fujita's Japanese Tea publication, showing a page spread with a fish illustration and black ink lines alongside Japanese characters on white background
Hands holding open the Japanese Tea publication, showing a left page with text and a right page featuring a photograph of hands holding soil with tea leaves
Open publication showing a page with large grey Japanese characters and a circular photographic element, alongside a portrait of a woman in profile on the left page
Open pages of Japanese Tea publication showing café interior photograph and lifestyle food and beverage imagery
Hands holding open the Japanese Tea publication designed by Masaomi Fujita, showing a grey patterned page with a red bookmark ribbon on the right and text content on the left
Hands holding the back cover of Japanese Tea publication, featuring minimalist logo and text design with barcode
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