Koshu Hand-Carved Seals are hand-carved hanko (personal seals) made in Yamanashi Prefecture. Every step, from designing the characters on the seal face through jiwari (character spacing), jiire (writing the characters), rough carving and finishing, is done by hand with traditional tools. The craft began with the discovery of large, high-quality crystal veins in the Mitake mountains. Craftsmen who worked crystal and tenkoku (seal engraving) artists emerged, and their skills were passed on to seal making. The main production area, the Rokugo district of Ichikawamisato Town, is called 'Japan's No. 1 Hanko Village,' and businesses related to seals, from carving and wholesale to the manufacture of seal cases, are concentrated there. Besides crystal, seal materials include boxwood and water buffalo horn. Hand-carved crystal seals are hardly made anywhere outside Yamanashi Prefecture. They were designated a Yamanashi Prefecture Designated Local Traditional Craft in 1994 and a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2000. At the Seal Museum in Rokugo, visitors can learn about the history of seals and try tenkoku.
Origin
The seal industry of Yamanashi Prefecture is said to have begun with the discovery of huge, high-quality crystal deposits in the Mitake mountains. In Mitake, near Kofu, a crystal processing workshop was established in Tenpo 8 (1837). Yamanashi had craftsmen who made polished crystal balls and crystal carvings, and many famous tenkoku artists have come from the area since the Edo period. According to the Rokugo Seal Industry Association, the engraving of crystal seals began in the Bunkyu era (1861 to 1863).
History
The 'Kofu Kaimono Hitori Annai' (a shopping guide to Kofu) from the end of the Edo period records hangishi (woodblock carvers) in Kofu who dealt in go-inban (seals). In Rokugo, centered on the former Iwama Village, farmers made tabi (split-toe socks) as a side business in the Edo period and peddled them throughout Japan. When the tabi industry declined in the Meiji period, they made use of those sales routes and switched to the seal business. A Dajokan Proclamation in Meiji 6 (1873) led ordinary people to own registered seals as well, and demand grew. By the end of the Taisho period, the area was established as a seal production center.
Features
Craftsmen choose the characters to be carved, adjust their balance, write the characters on the seal material and then carve them one stroke at a time by hand. Because everything is done by hand, no two seal impressions are the same. A variety of seals are made, including registered seals, bank seals, everyday seals and company seals. Seal materials are varied, including crystal, water buffalo horn, boxwood and ivory. Hand-carved crystal seals in particular are hardly made outside Yamanashi and are known for their striking impressions.
Techniques
Fuji (Character Layout)
The step of arranging characters on the seal face. Characters have fixed forms, and if they are bent too far in an attempt to add individuality, they become different characters. Drawing on their knowledge of scripts such as tensho (seal script), craftsmen take their time to fit the characters within the frame without overflowing it.
Hand-Carving Crystal Seals
Crystal seals, in which characters are carved into hard crystal, are seals unique to Yamanashi with its history of crystal processing. As the crystal processing industry developed in the Meiji period, crystal seals also attracted attention, and from the Taisho to the Showa period their sales routes expanded to countries in Asia.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Leveling the Seal Face
The face of the seal material is leveled flat.
- 2
Inko (Design Draft)
The script and layout of the characters to be carved are worked out on paper.
- 3
Jiwari (Character Spacing)
The allocation of the characters within the seal face is decided.
- 4
Jiire (Writing the Characters)
The characters are written directly onto the seal face.
- 5
Arabori (Rough Carving)
The unneeded areas around the characters are carved away.
- 6
Leveling the Seal Face
The carved seal face is leveled flat again.
- 7
Finishing
The details are carved in and the lines of the characters are refined.
- 8
Hoto (Retouching)
Fine corrections are made while checking the seal impression.
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Artisans & Workshops
六郷印章業連合組合
An association of seal craftsmen in the Rokugo district of Ichikawamisato Town. While preserving hand-carving techniques, it manufactures and sells seals and promotes hanko culture through tenkoku workshops and a seal memorial service. It also works to train successors.
Official site →望月煌雅工房
The workshop of Mr. Mochizuki Koga, a Traditional Craftsman of Koshu Hand-Carved Seals, located in Iwama, Ichikawamisato Town. It was founded by Mochizuki's grandfather around Showa 15 (1940). Mochizuki is a First-Class Certified Seal Engraving Technician recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and has won the National Skills Grand Prix.
How to Buy
- 六郷印章業連合組合
- An association of seal craftsmen in Rokugo that manufactures and sells hand-carved seals. Its office is in the Local Industry Hall at 2160 Iwama, Ichikawamisato Town, about a 3-minute walk from Kai-Iwama Station on the JR Minobu Line.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
印章資料館
山梨県西八代郡市川三郷町岩間2160 市川三郷町地場産業会館内
It displays chisels and whetstones used since the early Meiji period, order forms from seal sales and more. It also holds 'Shizhong Shanfang Yinju' (Jissho Sanbo Inkyo), a seal impression collection from the Qing dynasty of China. From April to November it is open from 8:30 to 17:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 15:00 on weekends and holidays.
View details →六郷印章業連合組合 篆刻体験
山梨県西八代郡市川三郷町岩間2160 市川三郷町地場産業会館内
Under the guidance of a seal engraver, participants carve their name or favorite characters into stone. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, and the fee is about 5,500 yen for individuals and about 3,300 yen per person for groups of 10 or more. Held Wednesday to Friday; individuals must reserve at least 3 days in advance.
View details →FAQ
Q. What is the difference between 'insho' and 'inkan'?
A. The hanko itself, with a name carved into it, is properly called an 'insho' (seal). 'Inkan' originally refers to the impression, the mark left when a hanko is stamped. In recent years, more people have come to use the word inkan to mean the hanko itself.
Q. Why did Rokugo become a 'Hanko Village'?
A. In Rokugo in the Edo period, farmers made tabi as a side business and peddled them throughout Japan. When the tabi industry declined in the Meiji period, they used those sales routes to sell seals door to door. With accumulated skills in crystal processing and tenkoku as well, the area was established as a seal production center by the end of the Taisho period.
Q. What is a rakkan seal?
A. It is a seal that artists stamp on their works of calligraphy or painting. Playful designs can also be carved, giving it the appeal of an art form. Recently it has become increasingly popular among young people and visitors from abroad, and some people enjoy stamping it on business cards and letters.
Q. Can an old hanko be re-carved?
A. Valuable seal materials such as ivory can be re-carved through 'kaikoku,' in which the seal face is shaved down and carved anew. There are cases in which a grandfather's seal is re-carved for a grandchild to use. Being able to pass down expensive seal materials across generations is another merit of hand-carved seals.