H TOKYO is a Japanese handkerchief specialty brand founded by Shinya Manaka, who opened the first store in Sangenjaya, Setagaya, Tokyo in September 2008. The brand focuses on men’s handkerchiefs made from high-quality shirting fabrics sourced from Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as domestic Japanese textile regions, with all printing and sewing done in Japan, primarily in Yokohama. [1]
Design and History
The H TOKYO logo and packaging were designed by Donny Grafiks, the studio of art director and graphic designer Kazuhisa Yamamoto, who has been involved with the brand since its opening. [2] Yamamoto graduated from Tama Art University’s graphic design department, studied under Teruhiko Yumura at Flamingo Studio, and later established Donny Grafiks. His studio handles symbol marks, logos, book design, architectural signage, exhibition visuals, and packaging design. [3]
Yamamoto’s design philosophy, described as “minimal expression for maximum effect,” is reflected in the brand’s visual identity. [2] The logo was originally created in yellow, a color choice tied to the handkerchief theme and the classic Japanese film “The Yellow Handkerchief” (Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi), directed by Yoji Yamada and starring Ken Takakura. [4]
Meaning and Symbolism
The “H” in H TOKYO carries multiple documented meanings. According to the brand’s own explanation, the H stands for:
- Handkerchief: the product itself.
- Happiness: the idea of using a handkerchief to wipe away tears, one’s own or someone else’s, and to offer the happiness that lies beyond. The brand also cites inspiration from the famous film title.
- Hermes: the Greek god of commerce and speed, intended as a talisman for men working in a fast-paced society.
These meanings were published by H TOKYO in a January 2010 blog post explaining the name. [5]
The brand’s color identity draws from the film “The Yellow Handkerchief,” with the brand stating that it takes the image of a yellow handkerchief fluttering in the sky, toned down to a more adult, deeper shade, establishing yellow and blue (navy) as its basic colors. [6]
Typography and Design
The H TOKYO mark is a typographic logo centered on the letter “H” paired with the word “TOKYO.” The design follows Yamamoto’s stated approach of minimal expression, keeping the focus on the letterform itself. [2] Beyond the logo, Donny Grafiks has also designed the brand’s packaging and has created a series of annual New Year handkerchiefs for H TOKYO featuring zodiac motifs, including a dragon design in 2012 and a sheep design in 2015. [2] [7]
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