Questions about Shodo, Japanese Calligraphy: How Are Hanko Made?

From Loving Hanko to Making One

In a previous blog post, “Questions about Shodo, Japanese Calligraphy: Do Japanese People Love Hanko?”, I wrote about how much Japanese people enjoy using hanko or stamps.
This time, I’d like to go one step further and talk about how hanko are actually made.

The Two Hanko at Our Salon

We have two hanko that guests can use after enjoying our shodo experience. One is 22 mm square, and the other is 14 mm square. The larger hanko has a character for “mother” written in an ancient Chinese style inside a circle. The smaller one uses a modern Japanese kanji for “mother.” Since our salon is called Oh! Mama, the choice feels very natural.

The larger hanko was carved by our salon manager, and the smaller one was carved by her father. Guests can choose whichever stamp they like.

A Very Small Challenge

Today, I made a brand-new hanko. This one is extremely small—only 4 mm square. I thought I had ordered a 5 mm one… but that’s just a little aside. In any case, it’s tiny! I was a bit worried, but decided to give it a try.

The seal stone is fixed into a holder called an inshow. Using a very thin 2 mm carving knife, I carefully carve the design. Because it’s so small, I move very slowly and cautiously.

Just when I thought it was almost finished, I decided to make the longest line stronger. As I carved a bit more enthusiastically—crack! One corner chipped off. For a moment, I regretted that final push. But when I stamped it on paper, the chip actually added a warm, charming character.

This tiny hanko is carved with the katakana character “マ” (ma). In Japanese, the sound “ma” can be expressed with just one character. It comes from the “Ma” in Oh! Mama.

A Coming New Year’s Finishing Touch

The reason I made this ultra-small hanko was for our New Year’s entrance decoration. I stamped it beneath a long, narrow piece of paper with the words “謹賀新年”, meaning “Respectfully celebrating the New Year.” Black ink on white paper, finished with a vermilion-red seal—this final touch brings balance and completion to shodo.

There are less than two weeks left in the year.
Wishing everyone a very happy and peaceful New Year.