Wakayama Umeshu Series Vinum Prunorum by Fumiko Okazeri

Wakayama Umeshu Series Vinum Prunorum by Fumiko Okazeri is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum in Designatio Involucri Competition Category.

AesInvolucrum· 2026

Wakayama Umeshu Series Vinum Prunorum

by Fumiko Okazeri

Client: fodesign Inc.

Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum Winner in Involucrum Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #176284

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Wakayama Umeshu Series Vinum Prunorum

E Wakayama, Iaponia, venit vinum prunorum aromaticum et gelatum prunorum recreans. Notione commercii culturalis et congressuum in traditione Sinica radicatorum inspirata, forma sensum proprie Iaponicum per textus molles et illustrationes delicatas exprimit. Cum duae ampullae iuxta collocantur, scaenam viri et feminae convenientium creant—in forma involucri comprehensam. Tamquam munus ex Iaponia, montibus augustis, mari, auris oceani et sole splendido benedicta, congressus laetos in Sina longinqua comitatur.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum

Wakayama Umeshu Series Vinum Prunorum victor est Praemii A' Design Award Aeneum, honoris multum aestimati formis egregiis, creandi ingenio, sollertia et acumine insignibus dati. Victores Aenei opera perita et mire creandi sunt, quae experientiam, imaginationem et solertiam auctorum suorum confirmant. Exspectatur Wakayama Umeshu Series Vinum Prunorum rem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, notabiliter professionalem et novam fore. Haec forma Aeneo victa optimas consuetudines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae amplectitur et in cura minutiarum excellit. Wakayama Umeshu Series Vinum Prunorum necessitates egregie explet, cupiditates tangit, sensus capit et curiositatem allicit.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: In introducing Japanese sake to the Chinese market, the design aimed to express authentic Japan. The packaging is simple yet refined, employing soft colors, grand landscapes of Wakayama, and clean Japanese typography to convey its atmosphere. The illustration, crafted by layering cut paper, adds depth of color and texture. When two bottles are placed together, they depict the meeting of a man and woman, embodying the concept of enjoying sake through encounters and connections.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 60 mm x Depth 60 mm x Height 295 mm
Tags: Simple design, emotional expression, paper collage illustration, human connection, encounter theme, Wakayama nature, Japanese culture, serene moment, warm atmosphere, handcrafted texture
Production Technology: The frosted bottle, chosen for its gentle impression, is paired with a label finished in velvet PP. Its silicone-like texture offers both a pleasant touch and a sense of luxury. The sealing label combines muted gold foil with a matte surface, achieving refinement while retaining softness. Overall, the design emphasizes a gentle impression, enhancing the concept with a strong sense of storytelling.
Design Challenge: Translating a concept rooted in Chinese exchange culture into a distinctly Japanese expression was not simple. Through repeated discussions with the client, we deepened mutual understanding, seeking a balance that embraced the continent’s passionate sensibility while retaining a soft, delicate Japanese touch. Layered paper illustrations and the gentle textures of frosted bottles and label stock gradually built up a refined sense of Japaneseness.
Research: We researched China’s drinking culture and why Japanese alcohol is welcomed there. To reassess the essence of Japaneseness in design, we revisited packaging and visuals seen daily in stores, analyzing them with fresh eyes. This led us to reinterpret cultural subtlety, the beauty of empty space, and the elegance of hiragana and kanji, incorporating these qualities into the package design and product naming.
Inspiration: Wakayama is Japan’s top plum producer, known for thick flesh and rich aroma. Its umeshu is acclaimed worldwide for flavor and fragrance. In China, fruit liqueurs and low-alcohol drinks are rising in popularity, with Japanese sake especially loved by the young. Family and friendship are deeply valued, and sharing drinks embodies such moments. This project began with the wish to offer sake that accompanies happy times with supportive friends.
Project Duration: It was exported and sold in Hangzhou, China in November 2022.
Operation Flow: The rich, aromatic flavor of umeshu and the refreshing, springy texture of umeshu jelly can be enjoyed in different scenes, allowing you to choose according to your mood and occasion.
Image Credits: Illustrator Yuri Mizutani