Kamizumo

KAMIZUMO – THE CREATION OF A MOST ELABORATE SAMPLE BOOK FOR FAVINI

Inspired by the manifold varieties of popular Japanese culture and the simplicity and fun of traditional Kamizumo (literally “Paper-Sumo”) we created this visual book to provide a hands-on experience of SUMO, Favini’s superior quality board. And just like a dedicated Kamizumo-player decorates his champion, we illustrated and upgraded our wrestlers with carefully selected finishing and print techniques. The massive slipcase containing two teams – Earth and Fire – with four fighters on each side folds out and provides the battleground.

Developing a suitable concept for a SUMO sample book posted quite some challenges due to the material’s thickness and rigidity. To effectively print on a board as chunky as Sumo, its physical characteristics had to be considered in every step of the process. Also, since binding was impossible, we used the v-cut technique to engrave Sumo obtain a sharp 90° angle. This allows folding the thick board, transforming it into a multifunctional box containing the 8 wrestlers – each different in material, impersonating the features of the respective material as a Kaizumo character.