Tenkoku Seal Engraving 篆刻

Tenkoku styles Blair Thomson D+P Studio
Carving the Three Treasures Seal
Finding balance and space in seal designs - Tenkoku stampmaking
Seal carving and blowing stone dust at the Japanese Garden at Cowden
Seal carving and blowing stone dust at the Japanese Garden at Cowden
Shogen Blair Thomson Suibokuga Silver Birch
Carving the Three Treasures Seal
Diamonds and ovals - Tenkoku stamp making
Discovering beauty in Japanese and Chinese stamps
Discovering beauty in Japanese and Chinese stamps
Exploring vast spaces through small stamp designs
Japanese and Chinese Seal Engraving – Tenkoku
Japanese and Chinese Seal Engraving – Tenkoku
Tenkoku Japanese Seal Engraving
Seal carving and blowing stone dust at the Japanese Garden at Cowden
Seal carving and blowing stone dust at the Japanese Garden at Cowden
Japanese and Chinese Seal Engraving – Tenkoku

Japanese and Chinese Stamp Making – Tenkoku

Enjoy the process of creating and stamping with your very own hanko seal, with eraser and craft knife, or stones and cutter.

Blair first learned how to cut stamps with his teacher Master Wakabayashi in Japan in 2009, and in subsequent years in Tokyo, and will help you work with your design and cutting, either online on Zoom at our regular group, or at a one to one session.

Why Tenkoku stamp making?

Carve your very own Japanese hanko stamp to make your inei impression, learn about the different stages in the Tenkoku 篆刻 process and the tools used.

Enjoy the meditative and caring process of cutting the eraser or carving the stone to make the hanko 判子, then inking with the deep red inde pigment and pressing on the delicate Japanese washi paper to create your own personal inei 印影 seal impression. Immerse yourself in the moment and notice the lovely sense of touch of the stamp in your hands and the lively lines and the deep spaces of the carving.

Blair will help you create a design to carve, such as of kanji characters related to your interest or your name (in Japanese or English), working with either eraser and craft knife or the traditional tools and materials from Japan such as the wooden clamps, smooth stones and carving cutters.

We will learn about the inspiring old Tensho and Inten style of characters that came from China to Japan, some of the styles of stamp design from Japan and different Chinese dynasties, and the two main types of red and white letter seals, opening up a fascinating cultural insight.

Stamps can be used for stamping artwork, Shodo, Shakyo, Suibokuga, and many other purposes. Please see some examples of Tenkoku stamp making from our past workshops.

Testimonial

Seal carving and blowing stone dust at the Japanese Garden at Cowden

“I had a wonderful time at the tenkoku course. I am thrilled with my stamp and have already bought some supplies to make more! Thank you for all your input in helping me to create it. I couldn’t resist, it was so enjoyable and therapeutic to do!”

Laura

Japanese Stampmaking, Cowden Japanese Garde

Book a One to One Stamp Making Session

Are you interested in taking one to one private lessons from Blair, or booking a time slot for someone else? Here is our calendar for you to book a 1 hour online Zoom session, select your time below.
Booking for someone else without deciding a time – book on this page instead.

Tenkoku Seal Engraving

1hour: £45

Book below

How to book a session

  1. Book with Blair using the calendar – Please first click on a suitable day, then select a time and click confirm. Then enter your details with name and email address, and select which session you are taking.
  2. Please next pay for your session by clicking the Pay with PayPal button. Choose to either Pay with a Debit or Credit Card, or use a PayPal account if you have one.
  3. Lastly please click Schedule Event – that’s it, you’ve booked your session! A confirmation email with Zoom link will be sent (please check your spam if you don’t get it). If you don’t have the Zoom app click here to download. Looking forward to seeing you!
Payment Terms

Session by Zoom, price for one person. Non refundable but a session can be rearranged (once only) within 3 months, by contacting us with 24 hrs notice. Drawing and Painting Studio accepts no liability for injury or damage. Children must be supervised by an adult.

One to one sessions

Are you interested in taking one to one private lessons from Blair, or booking a time slot for someone else? Here is our calendar for you to book a 1 hour online Zoom session, select your time below.
Booking for someone else without deciding a time – book on this page instead.

Tenkoku seal engraving online

1hour: £45

Book below

How to book a session

  1. Book with Blair using the calendar – Please first click on a suitable day, then select a time and click confirm. Then enter your details with name and email address, and select which session you are taking.
  2. Please next pay for your session by clicking the Pay with PayPal button. Choose to either Pay with a Debit or Credit Card, or use a PayPal account if you have one.
  3. Lastly please click Schedule Event – that’s it, you’ve booked your session! A confirmation email with Zoom link will be sent (please check your spam if you don’t get it). If you don’t have the Zoom app click here to download. Looking forward to seeing you!
Payment Terms

Session by Zoom, price for one person. Non refundable but a session can be rearranged (once only) within 3 months, by contacting us with 24 hrs notice. Drawing and Painting Studio accepts no liability for injury or damage. Children must be supervised by an adult.

Join our online or physical classes

We hold regular classes, including our Tenkoku Stampmaking group online on Zoom, for tickets and more info please have a look at our Events and Art groups page.

About Blair

Blair Thomson is a skilled and versatile artist who has exhibited widely (from U.K. to U.S. to Japan) and tutored many individuals and groups since graduation in 2002. At Glasgow School of Art he was traditionally trained in drawing and painting, before going on to study various approaches with other teachers such as master calligrapher Wakabayashi Shujo. He has curated exhibitions and been part of public exhibition selection, so he has a wealth of experience to tap into (info at his website below).

Moreover Blair is a kind listener and always enjoys helping others with their artwork. You will feel safe to confide in him about your interests and any worries or uncertainty you have. Any questions you have or guidance you need, Blair will help you.

Let's make a samurai helmet for Children's Day