OKNO: Using Japanese Folklore in Typographic Design

UK-based Designer Luke Matthews, who works under the name OKNO, has always had a keen interest in Japanese typographic design and folklore; “how everything can be so steeped in tradition and values while also being obsessed with innovation and tech”. A lot of his designs and prints exhibit influences from the folklore and language of Japan; whether it be in an ancient figure that has become part of pop-culture, or how they have words that can only be translated into English using whole paragraphs.

This month, Luke decided to create a pair of designs that would look at two similar tales from Japanese legend and combine them with some very Western song lyrics. The crashing together of cultures, and juxtaposition of origins, results in something harmonious.The first print focuses on the character of Kurobōzu/黒坊主; a blurry stranger who creeps around at night, and is coupled with words from Where Did You Sleep Last Night/In The Pines, a song that has been recorded by many artists over the years. “The song is heavy with history and atmosphere, which I thought worked well with the creeping Kurobōzu” says Luke.

The second piece, looks at Umibōzu/海坊主; an inky, giant ocean spirit who drowns anyone that dares speaks to it. Luke comments; “The imagery immediately brought to mind lyrics from “Chelsea Smile” by Bring Me The Horizon. The weight of a huge, looming secret dragging you under sits nicely with the watery colossus”.

The design and layout of both prints make them a cohesive pair. While the chosen Japanese creatures have very different stories, they have some visual similarities; this can be seen in the Japanese names for them both which include the characters for “shaved”. One is a hairless sea giant, the other a dark and balding monk.

Both pieces are Risograph printed on recycled paper with eco-friendly soy inks.

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