About the Onizarato Logo Mark

At first glance, the Onizarato logo may appear to be a simple illustration of an oni (demon), but it is actually based on a traditional onigawara—a decorative roof tile featuring an oni face.

What makes it unique is that it wasn’t just drawn as a picture. We crafted a real onigawara tile, used it as a model, then carefully replicated it. Finally, we applied a technique similar to woodblock printing, reversing the shadows and highlights to create the final design.

In Japanese tradition, onigawara tiles are used to ward off evil by invoking the image of an oni itself—fighting strong forces with equally strong protection.

This symbol represents our commitment to safeguarding those who use our sugar, the ingredients it’s paired with, and the moments it helps create.

The current logo of Onizarato has been in use since 2017.
Even before that, Onizarato had featured an oni-gawara (traditional Japanese roof tile ornament) as its motif. However, with a desire to embrace new horizons and mark a fresh beginning, the logo was redesigned from the ground up.
The new design reflects the belief that Onizarato is a material that truly protects and enhances flavor. To embody this concept, the process began with the creation of an actual oni-gawara—a bold and symbolic undertaking.

In ancient Japan, oni (demons) were seen as powerful, fearsome, and mysterious beings. Yet oni-gawara were crafted to harness that power to protect people and homes, a tradition rooted in spiritual belief.
Onizarato carries this same wish: to protect the flavor and character of the ingredients it is used with. The oni-gawara design was developed through close collaboration with master oniitashi (oni-gawara artisan) Onichu, who handcrafted the tile through repeated discussions and refinements.

This particular oni-gawara is named Zarametoki, the embodiment of Onizarato and a guardian symbol of flavor.
Because line drawings could not fully express its strength, the logo was created as a hand-drawn rendering of Zarametoki’s front view, using a woodcut-style approach with shadows and reversed highlights to convey its depth and power.

Today, this logo stands as the symbol of all Onizarato products—a mark of protection and purity in taste.

(Premium members can access deeper stories behind Zarametoki and the creation of the logo.)

The Story Behind the Onizarato Roof Tile Design

"Onizarato and the Zarametoki"

Onizarato is the top-brand product of Okatsune Seito, cherished by customers for over 40 years.
A real oni-gawara (roof tile ornament), representing the “A” of the A-un pair, is on display facing northeast on the first floor of the Okatsune head office building in Nihonbashi-Honcho.

The top single crystal in Japan

The crystal size of Onizarato is the largest in Japan for a single crystal, and with a sucrose purity of 99.9%, it is truly a world-class white zarame sugar born from Japan’s pristine water and advanced refining technology.Its large crystals have a strong ability to draw out the essence of ingredients, and its high purity gives it a clean, pure sweetness that sets it apart.

The Oni-Gawara as a Brand Symbol

The brand mark of Onizarato features an oni-gawara (traditional Japanese roof tile ornament).
Originally inspired by the nickname “white zaratō as big as an oni,” the symbol reflects the product’s bold presence and purity.

design

The design of the Onizarato roof tile, Zarametoki, may appear at first glance to depict a demon emerging from the tile itself. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that at the center of its forehead lies a sugar crystal, surrounded on all sides by the Four Divine Beasts—Genbu, Seiryu, Suzaku, and Byakko.
This tile ranks among the largest of its kind in Japan in terms of height, width, and thickness as a single-piece oni-gawara. It was fired with a prayer to 'bring out flavor and protect flavor,' and this symbolic design served as the inspiration for the Onizarato logo.

The Making of the Oni-Gawara “Zarametoki”

STEP1

This is the design blueprint of Zarametoki, the guardian oni-gawara of Onizarato.
Inspired by ancient traditions, the four celestial beasts—Seiryū (Azure Dragon), Byakko (White Tiger), Suzaku (Vermilion Bird), and Genbu (Black Tortoise)—are positioned at the four cardinal directions, symbolizing protection from all sides.

STEP2

This is Zarametoki in its formative stage. The foundational form of the oni—crafted to ward off evil—is beginning to emerge, revealing the protective spirit at the heart of its design.

Traditionally, oni-gawara roof tiles are handcrafted by specialized artisans known as oniitashi, who create each piece in accordance with the wishes of the client.
The oni-gawara for Onizarato was created by the renowned master Onichu, embodying both the spirit of protection and the essence of the brand.

STEP3

After the drying process, a purification ritual is performed by a Shinto priest to cleanse and bless the oni-gawara.
With the spiritual preparations complete, the tile then enters the final stage: firing in the kiln.

STEP4

STEP5

Post-firing, the Zarametoki bears a layer of surface soot. When gently removed, it reveals a refined, silvery luster reminiscent of smoked silver.

Once fired, the Zarametoki continues to radiate its distinctive brilliance.