Tokyo 1964The Brand

Emblem

It is composed of the Olympic rings superimposed on the emblem of the Japanese national flag, representing the rising sun. Having examined a large number of proposals, the Games Organising Committee chose the design submitted by Yusaku Kamekura, which was subsequently accepted as the official emblem of the Games.

Poster

It recalls the official emblem, composed of the Olympic rings superimposed on the emblem of the Japanese national flag, representing the rising sun. There was a total of four official posters, all designed by Yusaku Kamekura. They were all made by photoengraving using several colours, highlighting the technology of the Japanese printing industry. The posters themselves received a number of prizes for their excellence, including the Milan Prize for poster graphics.100,000 copies were made.

Tokyo 1964 : A Universal Language

With the Olympic Games, Japan needed to speak to a global audience. Looking for a way to transcend language—given the sui generis nature of the Japanese alphabet—Japanese graphic designers came up with an ingenious graphical system that was unique, clear and modern: pictograms! Tokyo 1964 proved to be something of a milestone, as each Games edition since then has given rise to its own pictograms.

Coins

Learn more on the virtual exhibition of the Olympic Museum.