SHISHIGAMI | Typeface Design


Shishigami is a forest spirit from the film Princess Mononoke, a 1997 Japanese animated epic historical fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli. The typeface takes inspiration from Japanese scroll writing.

A typeface with linework contrast, narrow kerning space inspired by The Godfather typeface and Japanese influence through the Big hero 6 typeface.

Software
Fontlab | Photoshop | Illustrator

Style Bold | Playful | Indo-Japanese

Type
Display Font

Year 2023

  • The design for the poster comes from a Hayao Miyazaki film called Princess Mononoke . Shishigami is believed to be a forest spirit and that's the inspiration behind this typeface. The poster contains Yellow-Brown hues and an old Japanese ink style of painting.

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Mahogany

#3A1002

Black

#000000

khaki

#7F764B

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z … " ,


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z … ? !

Typeface Overview:



Inspiration:

Named after the forest spirit from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved film Princess Mononoke, Shishigami captures the essence of nature and spirituality inherent in the character.


Design Elements

  • Curves: Shishigami features elegant curves that evoke the fluidity and grace of Japanese calligraphy. This design choice enhances its aesthetic appeal, making it suitable for various display purposes.

  • Boldness: With a bold weight, the typeface commands attention, making it ideal for headlines, posters, and other visual media where impact is essential. The strength of the font reflects the power and presence of the Shishigami spirit itself.


Cultural Influence:

Inspired by Japanese letters, Shishigami incorporates elements from traditional kanji and hiragana. This cultural nod not only pays homage to the art of Japanese typography but also connects the typeface to themes of nature, balance, and harmony—core concepts represented by the forest spirit.