Hyo-chan

Hyo-chan (ひょうちゃん) is a small, gourd-shaped porcelain soy sauce container that is included in boxes of shumai (steamed dumplings) produced by the Japanese food company Kiyoken. First introduced in 1955, the container features a cartoon face drawn by manga artist Ryuichi Yokoyama, and it has since become a beloved mascot and a hidden Yokohama specialty. The name "Hyo-chan" was given by Yokoyama himself, and the character is considered an inseparable companion to Kiyoken's shumai. The original Hyo-chan (first generation) was produced from 1955 to 1988, with 48 different facial expressions based on the 48 characters of the traditional Japanese iroha syllabary. In 1988, to commemorate Kiyoken's 80th anniversary, a second-generation Hyo-chan was introduced with 80 designs by illustrator Osamu Harada, available in two sizes and four colors, resulting in 640 variations. The third generation, introduced in 2003 to coincide with the renovation of the Yokohama factory, revived the original Yokoyama designs and remains in use today, with 48 designs (96 including large and small sizes) included in "Traditional Shumai" and "Special Shumai" boxes. Beyond the regular lineup, Kiyoken has released numerous limited-edition Hyo-chan designs for special occasions, such as the 100th anniversary of the company (2008), the 60th birthday (kanreki) of Hyo-chan (2015), the 110th anniversary of Kiyoken and 90th anniversary of shumai (2018), the change of era to Reiwa (2019), and the 70th anniversary of Hyo-chan (2025). These limited editions often feature unique artwork and occasionally rare golden variants. Hyo-chan has also been featured in collaborations with other companies and organizations to promote Yokohama. Hyo-chan is more than just a condiment container; it is a cultural icon that represents the city of Yokohama and the culinary heritage of Kiyoken. The character's expressive faces—ranging from smiling to angry—have captured the hearts of many, and collecting the various designs has become a popular pastime. The official website provides a detailed history of Hyo-chan and showcases the different generations and special editions, underscoring its status as a cherished local brand.

The history of Hyo-chan is intertwined with the history of Kiyoken and its signature shumai. Kiyoken was founded in 1908 in Yokohama, and in 1928, it developed and began selling "shumai" (steamed dumplings) as a local specialty. Initially, the soy sauce for the shumai was packaged in small glass bottles. After World War II, these were replaced by white porcelain containers shaped like gourds. In 1955, the manga artist Ryuichi Yokoyama, known for his work "Fuku-chan," was asked to draw faces on these plain containers. He created 48 different expressions, inspired by the 48 characters of the iroha syllabary, and named the character "Hyo-chan." This first generation of Hyo-chan was included in shumai boxes from 1955 until 1988. In 1988, to celebrate Kiyoken's 80th anniversary, a second-generation Hyo-chan was introduced. The designs were created by illustrator Osamu Harada, famous for his "Osamu Goods" characters. This generation featured 80 different designs, available in two sizes (large and small) and four colors, resulting in a total of 640 variations. In 1996, the stopper of the container was changed from cork to rubber, which is still used today. In 2003, coinciding with the renovation of Kiyoken's Yokohama factory, the third-generation Hyo-chan was launched. This generation revived the original designs by Ryuichi Yokoyama, and 48 designs (96 including large and small sizes) are currently included in boxes of "Traditional Shumai" and "Special Shumai." Throughout the years, Kiyoken has also released numerous limited-edition Hyo-chan designs for special occasions. In 2008, for Kiyoken's 100th anniversary, 7 designs (14 including sizes) were created by illustrator Ryohei Yanagihara. In 2015, for Hyo-chan's 60th birthday (kanreki), a special red vest design appeared randomly, along with a rare golden version. In 2018, for Kiyoken's 110th anniversary and the 90th anniversary of shumai, 7 designs (14 including sizes) featuring celebratory motifs like sea bream and bouquets were released. In 2019, to mark the beginning of the Reiwa era, 5 designs (10 including sizes) displaying the era names Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa were introduced. In 2025, for Hyo-chan's 70th anniversary, a special logo and 98 designs (7 colors × 7 expressions) were released, plus a rare golden version. Hyo-chan has also been featured in collaborations with various companies and organizations to promote Yokohama. The character remains a beloved symbol of Kiyoken and the city of Yokohama, and its history reflects the enduring appeal of local culinary traditions.

• 2025

  70th anniversary Hyo-chan released, with 98 designs and a rare golden version.

• 2019

  Reiwa era commemorative Hyo-chan released.

• 2018

  110th anniversary of Kiyoken and 90th anniversary of shumai commemorative Hyo-chan released.

• 2015

  60th anniversary (kanreki) Hyo-chan released, including a rare golden version.

• 2008

  100th anniversary Hyo-chan released, designed by Ryohei Yanagihara.

• 2003

  Third generation Hyo-chan introduced, reviving the original designs.

• 1996

  Stopper changed from cork to rubber.

• 1988

  Second generation Hyo-chan introduced for Kiyoken's 80th anniversary, with 80 designs by Osamu Harada.

• 1955

  First generation Hyo-chan introduced, with 48 designs by Ryuichi Yokoyama.

A charming and nostalgic mascot character that embodies the tradition and local identity of Yokohama, enhancing the shumai-eating experience.

• Hyo-chan soy sauce container

  A gourd-shaped porcelain container with a cartoon face, included in Kiyoken's shumai boxes.

1. 1ひょうちゃん – 崎陽軒kiyoken.com
2. 2崎陽軒の歩み – 崎陽軒kiyoken.com
3. 3崎陽軒について – 崎陽軒kiyoken.com
4. 4企業情報 – 崎陽軒kiyoken.com
5. 5Hyo-chan - Wikidatawikidata.org