{"id":9744,"date":"2026-03-12T15:00:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T06:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sphstoriesstg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=9701"},"modified":"2026-04-03T11:29:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T02:29:07","slug":"50th_logo_design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/people-culture\/50th_logo_design\/","title":{"rendered":"The 50-year heritage of art in Shinjuku: What\u2019s in a logo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Sompo Museum of Art marks its milestone 50th anniversary this year, and I was given the opportunity to design its anniversary logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A 50th anniversary is not simply a time for historical retrospective. It is an important turning point into the next 50 years. It is a chance to look deeply at the journey to date and from that, to discover the potential for greater value in the journey ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a designer and an art lover myself, I was thrilled to be entrusted with the Sompo Museum of Art\u2019s commemorative logo. This was a source of joy for me and an experience that has left a deep impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"SOMPO\u7f8e\u8853\u992850\u5468\u5e74\u8a18\u5ff5\u30e0\u30fc\u30d3\u30fc\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1T-7TMNigUQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Sompo Museum of Art first welcomed guests at the 42nd floor of Sompo Japan Building in 1970 until it moved to the ground level in 2020.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal attachment and rigorous objectivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>The Sompo Museum of Art is a special place for me; I have visited it many times since my student days. Amid the bustle of Shinjuku, it offers quiet and clarity, a calming of mind for appreciating its art. It is for me a peaceful sanctuary and a place to train and sharpen my sensibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Precisely because of my strong personal attachment to the museum, I deliberately stepped back to a stance of \u201clearning\u201d before designing its anniversary logo. The logo would belong to the museum and be for the benefit of its visitors. I was keenly aware of the need for objectivity to prevent the logo\u2019s design from appearing self indulgent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"779\" height=\"891\" src=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sompo-museum-of-art_50thlogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sompo-museum-of-art_50thlogo.jpg 779w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sompo-museum-of-art_50thlogo-262x300.jpg 262w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sompo-museum-of-art_50thlogo-768x878.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">50th Anniversary logo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/museum_1-1024x768-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/museum_1-1024x768-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/museum_1-1024x768-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/museum_1-1024x768-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I explored the museum\u2019s half century history, its changes over time, and its points of contact with society as an entity representing a part of an insurance business. I also traced Shinjuku\u2019s history to the Edo period. I dug deeply into everything I could find from the three perspectives of time, background, and location. For about four months, I immersed myself in research on the web, in poring over the museum\u2019s archival materials, and in repeatedly visiting the National Diet Library.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rediscovering an unchanging profundity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I interpreted the vast volume of information I gathered, framed the 50th anniversary from four perspectives, and developed eight logos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>These were the 4 perspectives from which I developed the logos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A 50th anniversary that speaks of ideals and the future<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A 50th anniversary that shares memories with society<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A 50th anniversary that defines location and where the museum is today<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A 50th anniversary that symbolizes trust and continuity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/surrealistic-stroll-1024x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/surrealistic-stroll-1024x1024-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/surrealistic-stroll-1024x1024-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/surrealistic-stroll-1024x1024-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/surrealistic-stroll-1024x1024-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cSurrealistic Stroll\u201d by Seiji Togo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The eight logos drew on diverse themes. Some were inspired by Van Gogh\u2019s work owned by the museum, some by the museum building\u2019s facade, and some by the Shinjuku cityscape. Others focused on the number 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After extensive discussion among the museum\u2019s stakeholders, a design based on painter Seiji Togo\u2019s \u201cSurrealistic Stroll\u201d was selected. This was profoundly fitting, as it was Seiji Togo and his work that inspired the museum\u2019s founding. The logo selection process, I was told, helped everyone rediscover an unchanging sentiment: that Seiji Togo is the museum\u2019s touchstone. I heartily agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"339\" src=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/muse_33-1024x339-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9732\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/muse_33-1024x339-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/muse_33-1024x339-1-300x99.png 300w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/muse_33-1024x339-1-768x254.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Commemorative items featuring the 50th anniversary logo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A hidden story behind the number 50<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It took more than a year from the start of my commission to develop the logo till its completion. There were countless details that we focused on, and one example is the original font created for numerals 0 to 9, used for the number 50 incorporated into the logo. Most significantly, the logo reinterprets, in contemporary fashion, the art deco style of Togo\u2019s era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have woven together these countless details with deep meaning. In reality, the logo\u2019s simple look is an intricate combination of various elements, designed to be interpreted differently depending on who is looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mueum_5-1024x683-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9730\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mueum_5-1024x683-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mueum_5-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mueum_5-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grafting the future onto history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Never have I devoted so much time to \u201clearning\u201d in preparation for a project. By delving into the Sompo Museum of Art\u2019s 50 year history, the changes society and the city underwent, and the evolution of art, I eventually had a design that spoke to the past and the future. The process was one of discovery and rediscovery, a rare experience that made me value \u201clearning\u201d and the joy of being able to create something out of that knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would describe the feeling I had when designing this logo as similar to grafting trees. I sought to understand the trunk of the museum\u2019s 50 year history and graft onto it branches of the future. I saw this anniversary not as a mere milestone but as a new beginning, a fresh start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As its designer, nothing would make me happier than to have the anniversary logo spark spontaneous conversations among visitors and those who welcome them to the museum. My hope is that the logo reaffirms where we are today and inspires thoughts of what is needed for tomorrow. Hopefully, too, its meaning steadily spreads with ever-larger ripples across Shinjuku and, over time, throughout society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The designer for the Sompo Museum of Art\u2019s 50th anniversary logo shares what went into creating the Seiji Togo-inspired logo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":9734,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[62,106,65],"class_list":["post-9744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-culture","tag-arts","tag-csv-creating-shared-value","tag-featured"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9744"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9774,"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9744\/revisions\/9774"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stories.sompo-hd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}