This summer, Japan House London — a cultural hub located in the heart of Kensington — is hosting a unique exhibition exploring the history and global impact of pictograms. Launched at the end of July, the exhibition invites visitors to dive into Japan’s long-standing relationship with visual communication.
You may wonder, “Why pictograms at Japan House?”
In fact, the development of internationally recognized pictograms began in Japan, with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics playing a pivotal role. To help visitors from around the world navigate the Games without language barriers, a team of designers from the Nippon Design Center created a comprehensive set of pictograms representing sports and facilities — the first of its kind in the world. Their work set the standard for future Olympic Games and public signage across the globe.
The exhibition features behind-the-scenes stories from the 1964 design process. One particularly fascinating anecdote involves the creation of a pictogram for a shower — a facility not yet common in Japanese households at the time. Through interview footage, visitors can learn how designers approached the challenge of illustrating something they had never personally used.
The exhibition also explores Japan’s deeper cultural roots in visual language. For centuries, Japan has had a tradition of translating complex ideas into simple, iconic visuals. For example, kamon (family crests), used since the Heian period (794~1185), served to identify family lineages and were designed to be instantly recognizable even from afar.
And of course, the word “emoji” — now globally understood — originates from Japanese: “e” (picture) + “moji” (character). This is yet another example of Japan’s influence on the evolution of visual communication.
Fast forward to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where animated performances brought the original 1964 pictograms to life, paying tribute to their lasting legacy.
At the exhibition, visitors can interact with enlarged pictograms for photo opportunities, design their own original pictograms, and view symbols created by UK teenagers — refined and exhibited with the help of designers from the Nippon Design Center. It’s a fun and educational experience for all ages.
The show also highlights the diversity of pictograms found across Japan today — from different types of ramen to various shinkansen (bullet trains) — showcasing the country’s unique and playful approach to visual design.
If you’re in London, this is a must-visit exhibition.
