Kōhī, a Japanese-inspired slow coffee bar offering a minimal space to reset,
reflect, and reconnect through refined rituals. Kohi is a calm, modern coffee space blending Japanese aesthetics with slow coffee culture and mindful design.
reflect, and reconnect through refined rituals. Kohi is a calm, modern coffee space blending Japanese aesthetics with slow coffee culture and mindful design.
After the initial brief I was finding nothing but the brand word itself derived from Japanese name, “kōhī ” simply means coffee. A mainstream name that leaves it blends in with other cliché coffee logos. However, Kohi with its unique approach of blending Japanese culture with modernity, sets it apart from other so called Japanese-themed coffee bar. Hence, it leads me researching parts of its coffee history even dating back to the ancient times, ranging from diverse cultures and its relevancy to todays' time. Most relevant example is Kissaten, a Japanese-styled tea shops that also serves diverse selections of coffee - but its darkish vintage vibes won't align with Kohi's minimalist modern space.
In reality, most coffee found in Japan are originated from foreign country. So to effectively find the hidden treasure, is to somehow connect red-thread at the intersection of Japanese cultures and traditions that deeply reasonates with its brand essence of being a community-driven slow coffee bar for creatives and ritual-driven individuals who value aesthetics, intention, and quality.
A HOMAGE, ROOTED IN TRADITIONS
The culture that really connects to Kohi was called Zen, a renowned thing in Japan which refers to a calm state of someone being guided by their intuition rather than conscious mind. But here’s the catch, people tend to associate Zen practices solely with activities of sitting cross-legged, but the term itself actually refers to any activities that lead towards spiritual awakening, such as Zen Gardens, Incense, Bonsai Trees, you name it.
So the first element that came to my mind was Zen Gardens, with their beautiful sand-raked patterns. Specifically concentric patterns seamlessly create an integrated identity system for Kohi, whether its using lines of words or jagged lines shaped as a concentric circle. Moreover, Zen teaching viewed simplicity and austerity as the key to peace of mind, so too Kohi’s approach to communicate the essentials, avoiding unnecessary cluterness.
Placed at the core of concentric patterns are comprehensive logo variations, consisting of various size, orientation, that embrace imperfections - it represent rocks embodying mountains’ strength, concurrently as shrubs of short bloom, reflecting humans’ ephemeral existence compared to natures’ timelessness - from packaging to storefront signage, or even social media post, it integrates cohesively to every touchpoint of its utmost identity. Woah, at this point, I’m just mesmerized by the amount of meaning, how everything is just made to be brought together to achieve that aforementioned purpose.
RITUALS LASTING FOR THOUSAND YEARS
The negative space forms Japanese’s famous crane birds, standing up close, bow and facing their heads up in unison then began to spread their wings widely and dance rhythmically with their life-partner, or groups. throughout Japanese culture, no wonder the phrase “Crane lives for a thousand years” are long associated with symbols of longevity, fidelity and fortune. Unlike other species, the Japanese Crane Bird pair for life and create strong bond of family, symbolizing friendship ties, collaboration, and perseverance - becoming a solid reverence of slow bar standing vigorous upon its community-driven approach. Throughout the years, their way of dancing wasn’t done without purpose, but an evidence, or a way to say, of strengthening and reconnecting their lasting bond of friendships - a ritual lasting for generations for a cup of shared goodness.
Another key aspects on Zen practice that heavily rooted to Kohi is Incense, previously introduced by Buddhist Monk as a means for prayers - since then widely known as “Monkoh”, a literal translation for “act of listening to fragrance”. Incense Ceremony or Kodo in Japanese term are becoming a perfect way to reflect, finding answers and be intentional with ourselves. Using six different type of woods, each ranging from different origins, for example Kyara originated from Thailand, or Sumotara from Sumatra Island, Indonesia - followed by many others; Rakoku, Manaban, Manaka, Sasora. Mentioned earlier are Kohi’s color pallete inspired by Incense - to describe it as earthy tones, rooted in naturalness that consists of dark and light neutral, evoking a sense of depth, calm, soothing, and relaxing ambience.
BEAUTY THROUGH IMPERFECTIONS
At Kohi, we believe every cup is crafted intentionally, much like making each bonsai unique through trimming, grafting, wiring, and clamping branches carefully. It’s never rushed, never intended to be completed. Moreover, a living evidence of grower’s dedication, patience, and passion - equipping each Bonsai with distinct story through bewildering weathered looks, asymmetrical branches, and unique silhouettes just as each cup at Kohi carries its own soul. Its bewildering intricate forms are reflected in both logotype and logomark - embracing imperfection in every corners. Featuring comprehensive logo variations, as means for effortless application in various media - serving as a concrete evidence of Bonsai distinct characteristics, personality, and shapes as a living witness of both nature and human interplay of growing the plant.
I translate that into a logo that appears as a perfect rounded tree at first glance, but that viewpoint immediately shifted when we decided to focus on to the upper portion that reveals undiscovered realm, the bigger parent tree. It’s here for a reason, that miniature tree is a part of a bigger tree, because as opposed to majority of plants propagated from seeds - Bonsai is cultivated directly from an old tree, which means its genetics are no difference as its wild parent tree. This concept also takes reverence from Wabi-sabi, a Japanese concept that highly embraces beauty through imperfection - seen in vast majority of its local cultures including Pottery, Kintsugi, and Zen-garden.
The results, Kohi is more than a slow coffee bar, but a collective space to reset, recconect with others through refined rituals. Infusing living heritage on today's fast paced world, with Japanese values, cultures, and traditions at first. Making it a go-to place for slow-living seekers, and ritual-driven individuals who value aesthetics, intention, and quality. As they would say "Brewed in Togetherness."
