No.034 あんこ屋 阿吽 (ANKO AUN)
This is my own side project, ANKO AUN. I designed for this brand specialising in the Japanese sweet ‘anko’ (red bean paste). I’ve always felt that the process of making anko is like meditation. This involves spending a lot of time observing azuki beans with all my senses, allowing me to appreciate their unique characteristics and achieve a deeper connection with the craft. It’s as if I’m having a conversation with the azuki beans, connecting with the universe, and discovering the truth of the world.
The word ‘AUN’ is originally a Buddhist term, a combination of the first and last sounds in Sanskrit. Coincidentally, the first and last sounds in Japanese Hiragana are also ‘A’ and ‘N.’ In English, it’s written as Om or Aum. It represents the first sound when you open your mouth and the last sound when you close your mouth, signifying the beginning and the end of things, the universe. The fantasy I had while making anko perfectly fits this name, ‘ANKO AUN,’ and I also thought it would be amazing to have ‘AN’ in the name.
Packaging made from bamboo skin
A statement for ANKO AUN (written in calligraphy by Mana Takai)
Japanese confectionaries with anko
Process of anko cooking
The Komainu (guardian dogs at shrines) are placed there to ward off evil spirits. Similarly, in old times, azuki beans were used for the same purpose. For ANKO AUN, I drew Komainu as they have ‘AN’ and ‘UM’ mouths, representing the iconic ‘OM’ (AUM) concept. The motif for the logo is derived from the mouth shapes of ‘A’ and ‘N’ sounds, symbolising both the ‘Om’ sound and the 'AH-N' sound when you eat anko.
No.034 あんこ屋 阿吽 (ANKO AUN)
Personal Project
Branding
2021