HACHI Octagonal Wooden Nameplate | A Simple Polygonal Shape
A polygonal nameplate softens the impression with its rounded corners. The octagonal HACHI is a polygonal model that followed the hexagonal ROKU — a wooden nameplate that settles quietly into an entryway. Below we walk through its shape and how to choose a wood species.
The Octagonal Shape
The octagon, a shape that widens toward the base, has long been used in Japanese design. With more corners than a square, its outline is softer, yet it is less assertive than a circle — a shape that sits in balance between the two.
HACHI is cut from a single piece of solid wood into that octagon. The grain differs from piece to piece, so no two are exactly alike.
Choosing a Wood Species
HACHI is available in four wood species — Japanese zelkova (keyaki), walnut, hard maple, and cherry. Zelkova has a bold grain, walnut a deep and settled tone, hard maple a bright pale wood, and cherry a faint reddish cast — each with its own character. Lighter woods give a softer contrast with the lettering, while darker woods make the characters stand out crisply.
The differences between species and the studio's selection standards are covered in How to Choose a Wood Species for Your Nameplate. Choosing alongside the engraving fill (black-filled or white-filled) and the installation spot makes the finished look easier to picture.
How HACHI Differs from ROKU
HARUTAKE's polygonal models also include the hexagonal ROKU. The hexagonal ROKU has a calm outline that stretches slightly wider, while the octagonal HACHI is closer to a regular octagon, giving a more evenly balanced impression. Choose based on the length of the name and the feel of your entryway.
Both are finished in the same four wood species and the same laser engraving. When the outline changes, the same name reads differently. Enter your name in the simulator and compare the two shapes side by side.
A Shape That Settles Into an Entryway
A wooden nameplate has a soft texture that metal and stone do not. The octagonal form has no sharp corners, so it sits calmly on a gatepost or a wall. Many people choose it when the timing of a new home or a move calls for something to match the entryway.
The simulator preview is a rendering of the finished piece. After you order, we email you the actual design data to review — production begins only once you approve it, so you can order with confidence even for the first time.