Seals

Seals last up date 2005/1/30

We, Nakaya have started to produce Japanese seals in 2004!
Wouldn't you like to have a Japanese traditional seal
by making Kanji (=Chinese characters) of your name?

- Essentials in choosing Seals -

1.Shape
There are two types of shape, round and square.
Seals are generally used instead of signatures in Japan, and most of Japanese (adults) have personal seals which are the round type.
The square type is often used as a corporate seal or on the works by artists for signature.

*Round Seal

These writing styles are, from left to right, Insou-tai, Koin-tai, Kaisho-tai, Tensho-tai and Gyosho-tai.
(Regarding the details of each style, please see below.)

*Square Seal

These writing styles are Insou-tai (left) and Tensho-tai (right).
(Both styles are explained below.)

These writing styles are Insou-tai (left) and Tensho-tai (right).
(Both styles are explained below.)

*Square Seal (Stone)

2.Material of Seal
The prices of the seals depend on the materials with which they are made.
All the prices we offer below includes Shuniku (cinnabar seal ink) which you can use for a long time.

Material	Characteristics
Natural box tree	This has the longest history as a material of seal in Japan. A box tree is called 'Diamond of Tree', and has high-density and stickiness. It is very suitable for making seals.
Black water buffalo	This is made by processing a horn of water buffalo and dyed in jet black. It has enough stickiness and is a reasonable material for practical use.

3.Writing style
Round seal is available for all 5 styles, and square for 2 (Insou-tai and Tensho-tai).

Writing style	Characteristics
Insou-tai	This is designed on the basis of Tensho (= the seal-engraving style of writing Chinese characters). It is particular to Japanese seals and quite often used as a personal registered seal.
Koin-tai	This is based on Chinese Reisho (= the scribes' style of writing Chinese characters) and makes it rather round. It is a Japanese original style and generally used as a ready-made and informal seal. In Japan, this style is mainly used as an unregistered seal or a bank seal.
Kaisho-tai	This is the square style which transformed Chinese Reisho. This style is slanted slightly towards the upper right corner. The strokes of each character are clearly defined.
Tensho-tai	The width of each character is identical. This style has a geometric beauty and is reminiscent of olden times. It is suitable for all kinds of seals, especially quite often used as a managerial seal in Japanese business scene or for a square seal.
Gyosho-tai	This is between Kaisho and Sosho (= the cursive style of writing Chinese characters). It looks like writing Kaisho in a running style. It is mostly used as an unregistered seal in Japan.

-Price list-

1. Round Seal (13.5mm)
Seal, Leather case, Shuniku(seal ink-pad)

Material/	Price
Natural box tree	$100
Black water buffalo	$200

Please choose a "Leather case".(FREE)

2. Square Seal
Seal, Shuniku(seal ink-pad), bag

Material	Price
Natural box tree	21 square mm: $200 24 square mm: $220
Black water buffalo	21 square mm: $280 24 square mm: $300

*13.5mm (0.53inch), 21 square mm (0.83 sq. inch), 24 square mm (0.94 sq. inch)

"Seal bag".(FREE)

3. Stone Seal
Seal, Shuniku(seal ink-pad)

Size	Price
15 square mm	$151
12 * 20 mm	$170

*OPTION - BOX $5

The box is not made from wood, this is made from a traditional paper with Chinese clothes.

Click here to order.