Yakusugi Stamp

About Yakusugi Stamp

Handwritten Character Imprints and Hand-finished Engraving

At our shop, each cherished seal is meticulously crafted by a Kyoto seal engraving artisan, who imbues each piece with handwritten characters tailored to every order. Unlike typical imprints created using computer software to modify font characters, which often result in similar-looking imprints, the warmth of artisan handwritten imprints stands as a unique testament. Kyoto’s handwritten seal artist, Seiichi Inokuchi, pours his heart into crafting each seal, delivering distinctive and deeply nuanced pieces that stand apart from the rest.

The finishing engraving process involves rough carving by a machine followed by meticulous carving of soft curves with a seal carving knife by skilled artisans. This hand-finishing ensures that the handwritten character remains authentic and does not lose its unique charm.

Kourin (Kourin) Case

The accompanying seal case is crafted using the traditional Aizu lacquerware technique known as “mushikui-nuri.” This method enhances the Yakusugi seal’s allure with a glossy and beautiful amber-colored pattern. The lacquer’s luxurious finish further highlights the elegance of the high-quality Yakusugi wood. You can choose between two colors: “Kinmushi” with a black base and “Akamushi” with a red base.

About Yakusugi

Yakusugi refers to ancient cedar trees that have grown for over a thousand years on Yakushima Island, a “World Natural Heritage” site located south of Kagoshima City. Designated as a National Special Natural Monument in 1954, all logging of Yakusugi trees has been strictly prohibited.

Currently, the Yakusugi used comes from trees harvested during the Edo period, including buried logs, fallen trees, and stumps that have survived to this day. These materials tell a thousand-year-old history and are considered the finest quality due to their rarity and the stringent regulations on their usage. “Yakusugi stamps” utilize Yakusugi wood sourced from certified dealers in Kagoshima Prefecture, making them exceptionally rare and valuable.

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