Official Posters
Tokyo 1964 Official Poster No 1 'The Sun Disc' and Tokyo 1964 Official Poster No 2 'Starting Line'
The first of four posters is the Games' symbol designed by Kamekura Yūsaku and issued in February 1961. 100,000 copies were printed. It depicts a red sun disc (hinomaru) and the text 'TOKYO 1964' and the Olympic ring in gold. It is considered a masterpiece of design and remains fresh to this day, simply and directly communicating 'Japan' and the 'Olympic Games'.
The second poster was launched on 25 May 1962. It was the first time photography was used in an Olympic poster and the first full colour photogravure poster of its size printed in Japan. Photographic direction was by Murakoshi Jō and photography by Hayasaki Osamu. 90,000 copies were printed.'
[Japan House]
From the exhibition
Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow
(August to November 2021)
Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow explores the pioneering design strategy and lasting legacy of the historic Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, the first to be held in Asia, which are often seen as a turning point for Japan.
This exhibition shows how a group of young Japanese designers and architects harnessed the opportunity presented by the 1964 Olympic Games to reframe the country’s profile and tell a fresh story to the world. Their ground-breaking designs are important as they have informed the design principles of all subsequent major international sporting events.
Many of the exhibits are on loan outside Japan for the first time. There is the chance to see the first ever sports pictograms, the original Games posters and the award-winning Tokyo 1964 symbol designed by Kamekura Yūsaku which is still as fresh today as when it was first presented to the world. There is the original architectural model of the gracefully constructed Yoyogi National Gymnasium by Tange Kenzō, as well as uniforms worn by workers at the Games, medals, tickets and medal ceremony kimono.
Visitors to the exhibition can also discover a number of world firsts that Tokyo’s hosting the 1964 Olympic Games allowed: the construction of the bullet train (Shinkansen) between Tokyo and Osaka, the emergence of ‘hi-tech’ infrastructure in the wake of rapid economic growth, television broadcasting by satellite, precision timekeeping and the first use of the word ‘Paralympic’.
[Japan House]
Official Posters
Tokyo 1964 Official Poster No 1 'The Sun Disc' and Tokyo 1964 Official Poster No 2 'Starting Line'
The first of four posters is the Games' symbol designed by Kamekura Yūsaku and issued in February 1961. 100,000 copies were printed. It depicts a red sun disc (hinomaru) and the text 'TOKYO 1964' and the Olympic ring in gold. It is considered a masterpiece of design and remains fresh to this day, simply and directly communicating 'Japan' and the 'Olympic Games'.
The second poster was launched on 25 May 1962. It was the first time photography was used in an Olympic poster and the first full colour photogravure poster of its size printed in Japan. Photographic direction was by Murakoshi Jō and photography by Hayasaki Osamu. 90,000 copies were printed.'
[Japan House]
From the exhibition
Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow
(August to November 2021)
Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow explores the pioneering design strategy and lasting legacy of the historic Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, the first to be held in Asia, which are often seen as a turning point for Japan.
This exhibition shows how a group of young Japanese designers and architects harnessed the opportunity presented by the 1964 Olympic Games to reframe the country’s profile and tell a fresh story to the world. Their ground-breaking designs are important as they have informed the design principles of all subsequent major international sporting events.
Many of the exhibits are on loan outside Japan for the first time. There is the chance to see the first ever sports pictograms, the original Games posters and the award-winning Tokyo 1964 symbol designed by Kamekura Yūsaku which is still as fresh today as when it was first presented to the world. There is the original architectural model of the gracefully constructed Yoyogi National Gymnasium by Tange Kenzō, as well as uniforms worn by workers at the Games, medals, tickets and medal ceremony kimono.
Visitors to the exhibition can also discover a number of world firsts that Tokyo’s hosting the 1964 Olympic Games allowed: the construction of the bullet train (Shinkansen) between Tokyo and Osaka, the emergence of ‘hi-tech’ infrastructure in the wake of rapid economic growth, television broadcasting by satellite, precision timekeeping and the first use of the word ‘Paralympic’.
[Japan House]