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The VCFA MFA in Graphic Design Program Blog

RIP Yanagihara Ryōhei

August 31, 2015

Ian Lynam wrote an obituary for his favorite Japanese illustrator Yanagihara Ryohei over on Néojaponisme, the blog that he edits alongside fellows W. David Marx and Matt Treyvaud.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

Here are some amazing illustrations for drop caps by Mr. Yanagihara that were published in the 1960s.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

Yanagihara’s creations have had a consistent presence across Japan since he created the character Uncle Torys (アンクルトリス), featured prominently in Suntory Whiskey ads in the 1950s and 1960s and revived over the past decade for a number of promotional campaigns that spurred Japan’s recent whiskey highball boom.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

In the presentation “The Winners and Losers of History: The Emergence of Japanese Modernism in Graphic Design”, presented at VCFA in 2014, Lynam argued that Yanagihara was one of the ‘winners’ in terms of post-War graphic design and illustration due to his allegiance to clients and capital.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

Illustrated drop cap illustrations by Yanagihara Ryōhei.

Learn more about Yanagihara’s work and see some of his fabulous animated work here.buy shoes | NIKE HOMME