Awanama Sake - Japanese Rice Wine

Awanama Sake - Japanese Rice Wine

Awanama Sake - Japanese Rice Wine is an innovative packaging design project that revolutionizes the presentation and preservation of unpasteurized Japanese rice wine (sake), distinguished by its groundbreaking approach to both functionality and aesthetics. The design, created by Japanese art director and designer Ryuta Ishikawa in collaboration with copywriter Takamasa Yokota, represents a significant advancement in sake packaging technology, featuring a sophisticated black bottle with light-shielding properties that both preserves the product's quality and serves as a canvas for distinctive design elements. The bottle's dimensions of 67mm x 67mm x 200mm incorporate a symbolic Japanese character meaning raw, prominently displayed as a white emblem against the dark background, while intricate patterns inspired by traditional Japanese cut glass enhance its cultural authenticity. This pioneering design employs high-pressure processing instead of conventional heat pasteurization, enabling room-temperature distribution of fresh sake - a breakthrough that makes premium unpasteurized sake accessible to international markets for the first time. The innovative technical solution involves a flexible plastic bottle with a specialized light-shielding film that not only protects the contents but also allows for intricate surface texturing, creating a luxurious aesthetic appeal while maintaining practical functionality. The design, which earned the prestigious Platinum A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category, successfully bridges traditional Japanese sake culture with contemporary design sensibilities, demonstrating how thoughtful packaging design can solve complex preservation challenges while elevating brand presentation and cultural authenticity.

sake packaging design, Japanese rice wine, unpasteurized sake, innovative bottle design, traditional Japanese aesthetics, premium beverage packaging

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Awanama Sake - Japanese Rice Wine.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=437914 (Accessed on July 05, 2025)"