The Imperial Year 2600 Memorial International Exposition of Japan
Date
Credits
- Nakayama Yoshitaka Designer
Format
- Poster 2371
- Advertisement 273
- Advertising 633
Clients
Typefaces
Techniques
- lithography 237
- illustration 307
- painting 92
- printing 869
Dimensions
Locations Made
- Japan 560
This is a poster designed for the planned Imperial 2600 Memorial International Exposition of Japan, which was scheduled to be held in Tokyo and Yokohama in 1940. When the Japanese government held a nationwide design competition for the event, this poster by Nakayama was selected as the winning entry among over 2000 submissions. Although the Expo was never actually held, the poster appeared across train stations and public spaces throughout the country.
Nakayama is one of the pioneering figures in Japanese graphic design. He became widely recognized for his work on tourism posters, packaging, and other applied arts.
The poster features a stylized, abstracted image of Mount Fuji set against the background with a tonal gradation (諧調) that shifts from black at the bottom to red at the top. Mount Fuji itself emerges from a red-to-white transition, which gives the composition a sense of depth. A single bird flying in front of the mountain adds a symbol of hope, freedom, or divine presence. With the minimal elements and no explanatory text, the poster gives a quiet power and sense of elegance.
