We enjoyed an immersive afternoon discovering the process and traditional techniques (and one or two shortcuts to save time!) of Tenkoku 篆刻 seal engraving at an atmospheric workshop at Woodside Library.
Blair introduced the history of Tenkoku 篆刻, and the use of stamps including in calligraphy or artworks, or as finished works in themselves, with some explanation of the way stamps are used in the rakkan 落款 signature and seal area. Together we looked at and handled some intricately engraved Japanese stone stamps from Blair’s teachers in Japan to gain a deeper insight into the practice.
There were demonstrations of each aspect of the process throughout the workshop, with Blair detailing how to carve the 青田石 pyrophyllite stones and go about the stamping, and some time for questions. The group got the feel of the basic elements of the stamp design, transfer and carving, then they appreciated stamping their inei 印影 stamp impression on Japanese hanshi calligraphy paper and black paper.
The participants chose a range of kanji characters and designs depending on which words or names they wanted to convert into kanji or katakana, and were guided by Blair in this.
Many thanks to the participants for wholeheartedly taking part, everyone did so well to work through each part of the process, and we hope they enjoy stamping with their unique stone seals.
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