J Type 101

Japanese typography is everywhere right now, from streetwear and album covers to editorial layouts and branding. Designers around the world are drawn to it. At the same time, many are working without a clear sense of how it actually functions.

J Type 101 is a 44-page guide by Mio Kosaka, Mizuki Hanada, and Monet Fukawa of Koyubi Studio in Brooklyn. It does not treat Japanese typography as a style to borrow, but as a system to understand.

The Features chapter looks at how Japanese characters are built, how they are grouped, and why they behave differently from Latin type. From there, the Rules chapter moves into use. It outlines ten practical guidelines, covering vertical and horizontal typesetting, line breaks, spacing, and the relationship between Japanese and Latin type.

The visual language draws from textbooks, with references to highlighters, annotations, and marked pages, translated into a palette of yellow and pink against grayscale. Each spread pairs short explanations with illustrations, allowing readers to grasp unfamiliar concepts without feeling overwhelmed.

Learn more about J Type 101 here.

J Type 101

Designers: Mio Kosaka, Mizuki Hanada, Monet Fukawa
Authors: Mio Kosaka, Mizuki Hanada, Monet Fukawa
Editor: Mio Kosaka
Publishers: Koyubi Studio
Publishing house: Koyubi Studio
Release date: April 2025
Volume: 44 pages
Format: 15.2 × 20.3 cm
Language: English
Production/Finishing: Printed by Conveyor Studio (USA)
Retail price: €21.50
Where to buy: Secret Riso Club, NYC