The origin of our name: Tsuru

To embody the link between Japan and Quebec, we chose a symbol that is strong, poetic and universal: the crane.

In Japan, the crane, tsuru (鶴) in Japanese, is a mythical bird deeply rooted in culture and folklore. It symbolizes peace, longevity, fidelity, and good fortune. According to legend, anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will have their wish granted. It is also one of the most represented subjects in Japanese woodblock prints, kimonos, haiku poems, and the Japanese art of living in general. It is considered a sacred bird, capable of living for a thousand years, and its elegance embodies the finesse unique to Japanese culture.

In Quebec, Jean-Simon spent several years photographing, observing, and painting a majestic bird that shares more than just a resemblance with its Asian cousin: the sandhill crane. This migratory species, with its fascinating courtship displays and slender silhouette, is little known to the general public, despite its significant presence in certain regions of the country.

Original work by Jean-Simon

For Anne and Jean-Simon, the sandhill crane deserves the same praise and recognition as the Japanese crane. It embodies a wild beauty and understated elegance, deeply rooted in our northern landscapes.

It is therefore the crane, this bird-bridge between two worlds, which has become the heart of our visual identity and our project. It embodies travel, patience, balance and transmission. Like our approach: flying between two cultures to bring back the best of the artisanal Japanese knife, with a Quebec soul.

A meaningful logo

The Tsuru logo was born from several ink sketches by Jean-Simon, transformed with precision and sensitivity by Anne into a unique graphic signature.

The red dot on the crane's head evokes the sandhill crane, which naturally has a distinctive red cap. This detail underlines our local roots.

If we look closely at the negative space between the wings, we can make out the discreet silhouette of a Nakiri, a traditional Japanese knife used for cutting vegetables. This rectangular blade, emblematic of Japanese cuisine, reflects the essence of our project. This detail is Anne's genius!

This logo symbolizes everything we stand for: finesse, respect for gestures, functional beauty, and the link between cultures.

Jean-Simon's first ink sketch for the logo.

Tsuru are Japanese knives made for those who celebrate cooking, craftsmanship, and detail. Objects designed with the same care as an origami fold, the same precision as a stroke of ink, the same attention to detail as a flight.

Welcome to our world.