Occupant Fonts × モリサワ

Typography & Texture

日本の伝統文様を通じた書体のペアリング

Typographic pairings with Japanese patterns

Bamboo leaf
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Bamboo leaf
Zocalo Display / ゾカロ・ディスプレイ

Bamboo are sacred and are believed to prevent illness and injury, as well as to ward off bad luck. It symbolizes longevity and conveys a wish for children to grow up healthy.

Fan
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Fan
Occupant Gothic / オキュパント・ゴシック

The fanʼs shape, expanding at the edges, has become a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. “Suehirogari” means “bright prospects for the future,” representing a wish for development and prosperity.

Sakura
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Sakura
Eggwhite / エッグホワイト

Cherry blossoms represent “the beginning of things” because they signal the arrival of spring. They are also a symbol of “abundant harvests,” as the way they bloom was once used to predict the success of crops, making them a good omen.

菊文様
Chrysanthemum
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Chrysanthemum
Quiosco Display / キオスコ・ディスプレイ

Chrysanthemums hold various meanings, such as “nobility,” “longevity,” “warding off evil spirits,” and “immortality.” This pattern is frequently used in traditional kimono designs.

唐草
Arabesque
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Arabesque
Mantar / マンタール

Inspired by fishing nets, this pattern signifies “capturing happiness” and is also cherished for its role as a talisman that wards off evil spirits.

網目
Mesh
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Mesh
Ibis Display / アイビス・ディスプレイ

TA pattern inspired by fishing nets, symbolizing “capturing happiness.” It is also valued as a talisman for warding off evil spirits.

Bamboo
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Bamboo
Tick / ティック

Bamboo, with its rapid growth and ability to remain green year-round, symbolizes “prosperity for descendants.”

鮫小紋
Sharkskin
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Sharkskin
Allium Rounded / アリアム・ラウンデッド

A pattern of small grains arranged in a fan shape, resembling shark skin. The tough texture of shark skin is likened to armor, symbolizing protection and the warding off of misfortune.

千鳥
Plover
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Plover
Rapport / ラポート

Chidori (a thousand birds) is a pattern believed to bring great happiness and good fortune, often used to pray for success in achieving goals. It is one of the more playful styles among Japanese patterns.

千鳥格子
Plover check
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Plover check
Loupot / ルーポ

“Chidori” refers to a flock of birds. It is also called “hound’s tooth check,” demonstrating how the patternʼs impression differs between Japan and other countries.

矢絣
Arrowtail
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Arrowtail
Tock / トック

This pattern is inspired by arrow feathers, believed to ward off evil spirits. Arrows, flying straight and not returning, were traditionally used in weddings as a good-luck charm.

鹿子
Tie dye
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Tie dye
Serge / セルジュ

Named for its resemblance to the spots on a fawnʼs back. Deer are considered “messengers of the gods” and symbolize good fortune and “prosperity for offspring.”

Fish scale
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Fish scale
Magmatic / マグマティック

A pattern of evenly arranged triangles, resembling the scales of snakes or fish. Triangles are believed to ward off evil and misfortune.

Wheel
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Wheel
Allium / アリアム

Since the Heian period (794-1185), this design has symbolized luxury and nobility. The wheel pattern is said to represent “reincarnation.”

麻の葉
Hemp
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Hemp
Prensa Display Compressed / プレンザ・ディスプレイ・コンプレスド

A geometric pattern based on hemp leaves, which are associated with strong vitality. The design expresses a wish for the healthy growth of children.

花菱
Crest
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Crest
Dispatch / ディスパッチ

Since the Heian period (794–1185), this pattern has been associated with nobility and refinement, as it was reserved for aristocratic use.

七宝つなぎ
Seven Jewels
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Seven Jewels
Occupant Oldstyle / オキュパント・オールドスタイル

The pattern combines two components: one represents Shippo, a Buddhist term for seven treasures (gold, silver, crystal, lapis lazuli, agate, coral, and shako), and the other is a circle symbolizing prosperity.

亀甲花菱文
Tortoise
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Tortoise
Antenna / アンテナ

A hexagonal motif inspired by a tortoise shell. The tortoise has long been revered as a symbol of longevity, and the pattern signifies blessings in all directions.

組亀甲
Tortoise Weave
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Tortoise Weave
Scout Condensed / スカウト・コンデンスド

A pattern formed by combining hexagons, resembling a turtleʼs shell. Like the kikkōmon (tortoiseshell pattern), it is a symbol of good fortune and longevity.

観世水
Ripples
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Ripples
Heron Serif Condensed / ヘロン・セリフ・コンデンスド

In Japan, water has long been regarded as a purifier. Its ever-changing flow symbolizes “purification” and “eternity.”

Diamond
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Diamond
Antenna Compressed / アンテナ・コンプレスド

This pattern is said to be inspired by the hishi (water caltrop) plant, although its origins are unclear due to the simplicity of the shape. It was depicted on earthenware from the early Jomon period (7000–5000 B.C.).

分銅つなぎ
Chain
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Chain
Gasket / ガスケット

This design features interlinked bricks shaped like balance weights. Because gold and silver were cast into these shapes for storage, the pattern is considered a symbol of wealth.

よろけ縞
Swaying stripes
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Swaying stripes
Relay Condensed / リレー・コンデンスド

A striped pattern with curves that bend and stagger, resembling waves.

三崩し
Threes
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Threes
Stainless Wide / ステンレス・ワイド

The pattern is inspired by the broken shape of “sangi,” a traditional calculation tool. Known as “Sangi-Kuzushi,” it consists of three strips arranged vertically and horizontally, still used today in modern decor like floors and wallpaper.

露芝
Dewy grass
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Dewy grass
Prensa / プレンザ

A delicate pattern that evokes the appearance of dew on plants. Commonly used in summer yukata and obi designs.

檜垣
Wicker
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Wicker
Antenna Serif / アンテナ・セリフ

This pattern is based on thin cypress wood woven diagonally in a wicker design. It is commonly used today and symbolizes “good health.”

市松
Check
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Check
Salvo Serif / アイスボックス

This woven pattern has existed since ancient times, also known as “Arare” (hailstones). Those predating the Edo period (1603–1868) are referred to as “Ishidatami” (stone pavement patterns).

籠目
Basket
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Basket
Amira / アミラ

A pattern resembling a basket woven from bamboo. Since it appears to consist of interconnected hexagrams, it has also been believed to have the power to ward off demons and evil spirits, as they are said to dislike such designs.

青海波
Blue wave
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Blue wave
Salvo Sans / サルボ・サンズ

A pattern depicting infinitely spreading waves, symbolizing a wish for eternal happiness and a peaceful life. It is considered a lucky design.

Plum
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Plum
Gasket Uncial / ガスケット・アンシャル

Plum blossoms symbolize perseverance, vitality, and the prosperity of children. Available in various forms, this pattern is representative of the New Year and is still widely used today for crafts and kimonos.

Pairing typefaces can be a challenging task, especially when typesetting different scripts. In this collaborative project between Occupant Fonts and Morisawa, we explored possible combinations of our Japanese & Latin typefaces using traditional Japanese patterns as inspiration. We found that having the visual context was a helpful catalyst for setting up these relationships, while also offering multiple possibilities. The pairings shown here are not intended to be definitive, but serve as sample suggestions that showcase various relationships between typefaces. We hope these examples help expand the way we think about multi-script typography.

English Text Font: Quiosco (Occupant Fonts)
Japanese Text Font: Shuei Yokobuto Mincho (Morisawa)
Team: Akari Izumi, Yuya Kobari, and Marie Otsuka, with contributions from other members of Morisawa and Occupant Fonts.

多数の書体を組み合わせ、特に異なる言語の書体を有効に活用することは、組版の中でも難しい作業です。このような組み合わせは文章のコンセプトやビジュアル背景を配慮した上で成り立つこともあります。
今回、モリサワの和文フォントとOccupant Fontsの欧文フォントの組み合わせを探り出す際、異なる形を繋ぐきっかけとなったのが日本の伝統文様でした。
ここで紹介する組み合わせは決定的なものではなく、書体間のさまざまな関係性やの可能性を紹介するための一例です。マルチスクリプト・タイポグラフィについての考え方を広げることにつながれば幸いです。

英文:Quisco (Occupant Fonts)
和文:秀英横太明朝(モリサワ)
制作:泉亜加理、小針優弥、大塚万里衣
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