nottuo was in charge of the branding for “TONKACHI,” a collective of carpenters based in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture. We designed their logo, business cards, website, and a complete line of original uniforms.
Based in the same rural area of northern Okayama as us, TONKACHI is a fascinating company aiming to become “the coolest carpenters in Japan,” rooted in their local community.
Unusually for carpenters, they have developed their own apparel line of original uniforms as merchandise. Using their company name, TONKACHI (which means “hammer”), as a key concept, we built their brand identity by designing various items around a custom logotype inspired by the structure of traditional timber framing.
“To pass on the traditional techniques of timber framing to the next generation, we want to make carpentry a ‘cool’ and admired profession.”
This project reaffirmed for us that our role as a branding company is to give shape to the vision of passionate leaders like Mr. Iriki, the president and master carpenter, through the power of design.
In rural areas, there are many different kinds of players, and our job is to support their local endeavors through design.
