Hokkaido Takushoku Bank (北海道拓殖銀行), commonly known as Takugin, was a major Japanese commercial bank headquartered in Sapporo. Founded in 1900 as a special bank to support the development of Hokkaido, it operated until its bankruptcy in November 1997, after which its business was transferred to Hokuyo Bank and other institutions.[1]
Design and History
The bank’s symbol mark was designed by Shigeo Fukuda (1932-2009), the internationally recognized Japanese graphic designer known for his use of optical illusions and visual tricks. Fukuda also designed the participation medal, facility pictograms, and official guidebook for the Sapporo Winter Olympics, as well as other Hokkaido-related projects.[2][3]
The mark was displayed at the 2012 retrospective exhibition “Shigeo Fukuda: The Art of Humor” at the Sapporo Art Forest Museum, where visitors familiar with Hokkaido recognized the Takugin symbol.[4] The exhibition also featured the bank’s symbol mark alongside Fukuda’s other notable works, including official Expo posters.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
The symbol mark is a stylized rendering of the Japanese character “ホ” (ho), the first character of Hokkaido, and was designed to symbolize the pioneering spirit of Hokkaido’s development.[6] The mark was also reproduced on ceramic tiles affixed to the exterior walls of Takugin branch buildings, and remnants of these tile marks can still be found on former branch locations today.[6]
The bank’s logo also appeared on commemorative items, such as a Sapporo 1972 Olympic wallet featuring the bank’s logo and name on one side and the Olympic emblem on the other.[7]
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