JAGDA, in collaboration with the Hiroshima International Cultural Foundation, launched a volunteer project “Hiroshima Appeals” poster campaign in 1983, focusing on the theme “Hiroshima’s Spirit” with the goal of promoting peace at home and abroad. The project, conducted annually through 1989, was reinstated in 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. This year Taku Satoh created the poster for 2015, which is the 18th work of this series.

Title: “The Weight of Hiroshima”
Designer: Taku Satoh
Organizers: Hiroshima Peace Creative Foundation, Hiroshima International Cultural Foundation,
Japan Graphic Designers Association Inc. (JAGDA)
In collaboration with: Toppan Printing Co. Ltd., Takeo Co., Ltd.
Details: JAGDA Hiroshima

Comment from the designer
I’m the fourth designer of a “Hiroshima Appeals” poster to have been born in the postwar era, and I struggled even more than I imagined in deciding what kind of visual I should aim for. What I ultimately decided on was a large balance weight, of the kind normally placed on a balance scale, sitting atop a pile of documents. Seventy years ago Hiroshima’s fate hung in the balance – and an atom bomb was dropped on it. The party that drops a bomb has an argument to justify its actions. In my graphic, the balancing weight named Hiroshima is a heavy one, and it presses the documents down greatly. The documents represent every kind of “argument” imaginable, and the weight of Hiroshima presses down on them. My intention was to express that there are some things that, no matter what argument might be put forward, one must never do. A lone butterfly is seen perched on the weight. I intended it as a reincarnation of the burning butterflies depicted in the very first “Hiroshima Appeals” poster, by Yusaku Kamekura.

About the designer
After initially working for Dentsu, Inc., Mr. Satoh established Taku Satoh Design Office Inc. in 1984. His scope of artistic activities is remarkably broad. He created such well-known package designs as those for Lotte’s “Xylitol” chewing gum series and Meiji’s “Oishii Gyunyu” milk. He conceived the logomarks for the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa and the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo. And he has served as art director for the “Nihongo de Asobo” children’s program on NHK’s educational channel, overall supervisor of the “Design Ah!” children’s program on the same channel, and one of three directors of 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT gallery. His publications include “Kujira wa shio o fuite ita” (DNP Art Communications), “JOMONESE” (Bijutsu Shuppan-sha) and the photo book “Maana – Mikan” (Heibonsha). Mr. Satoh is a member of AGI, JAGDA, Tokyo ADC, Tokyo TDC and Japan Design Committee.

Exhibitions
● “Hiroshima Appeals 2015”
Dates: Tuesday, 28 July – Monday, 10 August
Venue: 1F Shimin Lobby, Hiroshima City Hall

● “Hiroshima Peace Poster Exhibition”
Dates: Monday, 10 August – Friday, 14 August
Venue: 1F Shimin Gallery, JMS Aster Plaza

Poster On Sale
Size: B1
Price: 1,080 Yen per copy
Available at:
– Hiroshima Peace Memorial Center (museum shop)
– Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (museum shop)
– Kobunkan bookstores (Kinzagai branch etc)
– Junkudo bookstores (Haccho-bori branchi etc)
– Picasso Graphic Station
– JAGDA Secretariat
– JAGDA Online Shop