Story of the Tombow Logo
Since 1927
Tombow (tonbo) means “dragonfly” in Japanese and used to be called akizu/akitsu in ancient times.
Since Japan is said to have been called Akitsushima in the past, the name of the company also represents our desire
to be the representative of Japan’s stationary industry.
The dragonfly is also referred to as kachimushi (i.e., victorious insect) and considered to bring good luck to people.
HISTORY
Let’s look back on the transition of Tombow mark from the birth to the present.
1927
In 1927, founder of the company Harunosuke Ogawa registered the Tombow mark as its trademark. The dragonfly was chosen for the company’s logo from among other images such as a bridge and a saw-tooth roof of a factory.
1928-1957
The downward-pointing mark with a realistic image of a dragonfly began to be used in 1928. It first applied to the high-class drafting “TOMBOW DRAWING PENCILS” from 6H to 8B. Several Tombow marks designed based on this image.
1957-1995
The Tombow logo mark designed by the well-known designer Takashi Kono. In the process of expanding logo implementation from pencils to ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils to marking pens, rules for the use of logotype were established to use a consistent log mark.
1995-2012
The logotype used in Europe was introduced to Japan as the universal logo. It is characterized by the unique design of the letter W. It was firstly used in the bush pen, ABT, which was release in 1984 designed for artists all over the world.
2013-
A new Tombow mark was established to mark the 100th anniversary The new corporate symbol, born in 2013, is designed as a symbol of freedom and light energy with a dragonfly motif.
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