Shop

The Shop page has been divided into 6 sections.

At the bottom of the individual sections is a link to that sections shop page, which also includes links back to individual products.

We hope this makes it a little easier to navigate our site and find what you are looking for.

Nafuda Section
Nafuda for Individuals
Nafuda for Dojo
Modular curved Nafuda
Virtual Nafuda
Mutal Love Nafuda
"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

Kun and Mokuroku Section
Dojokun Nafuda
Dojokun Plaque
Nijukun Plaques
Karate kata Mokuroku
Custom Mokuroku
"Click" to go to - Kun and Mokuroku section shop page

Plaques and Name board Section
Kanban - Dojo Nameboards
Taekwondo Plaques
The Shotokan Tiger
7 Virtues of Bushido
7 times down 8 times up Plaques
Yojijukugo plaques
Custom plaques
"Click" to go to - Plaques and Name Board section shop page

Hanko and Inkan Section
Hanko
Inkan
"Click" to go to - Hanko and Inkan section shop page

Certificates Section
A4 - Kyu certificates
A3 - Dan Certificates
A3 - Senior Dan Certificates
A3 - Lifetime Achievement Certificate
A4 - Student of Month / Year Certificate
Participation Certificates
"Click" to go to - Certificates section shop page

Design Section
Logo Design
Belt Label Design
Facebook Banners
"Click" to go to - Design section shop page

There is no e-commerce shop for a good reason, most of what we do are one-off commissions.

We are likely to exchange quite a few E Mails while we develop your project together.
Soto Sabisu will produce a draft and once approved by you, we will send you a Pro-forma Invoice.

To keep our costs as low as possible our preferred payment method is by BACS, however we will accept credit card payments via Pay Pal subject to a transaction premium of 5%.

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Certificate Hanko

We have recently completed three Certificate Hanko for shipping to America. The Hanko are 35mm * 35mm the size recommended for a certificate stamp.
It was our pleasure to work with Richard Bennett Shihan to produce these stamps for Bennett's Karate in Colorado.

 

As is common with commissions there were quite a few E Mails back and forward across the pond until the final designs were complete.
Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Hanko and Inkan section shop page

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Christmas comes early at WTKO Shogai karate dojo

We were frilled when we had a recent inquiry from the members of WTKO Shogai. They wanted to commission a special gift for their Sensei, Simon Bligh. The outline draft from the club was for a  木製 の 銘板,   mokusei no meiban  which translates to wooden plaque.
We were asked to try and replicate the clubs moto " Karate for everyone and for all your life" and also to incorporate the name of the club.
A fair bit of correspondence went back and forth with Jenny the club secretary at all stages of the design and translation.

Typically in Japan a motto or saying may be represented as a four character ideogram called a Yojijukugo 四字熟語 these can be either idiomatic or non-idiomatic e.g. the kanji could directly represent the meaning of the saying or bear no relationship at all.
So a direct translation word for word would be pretty meaningless, and although there are over 20,000 Yojijukugo, I don't think any will be a direct translation for Shogai's motto.
Accuracy of translation and more important meaning is paramount, so we usually ask a client to either provide or confirm the translation before proceeding. The issue Jenny had was that this was to be a special gift and the surprise element was important.
The WTKO group has been a regular returning customer, so we arranged for external authentication on the clubs behalf.
The Kanji 皆 = minna meaning everyone and  生 = shogai meaning lifetime were selected, so the final text reads - "Shogai karate dojo - karate for everyone - karate for lifetime" the WTKO GB Hanko was also added to the mokusei no meiban as Simon Sensei holds a key role in the organisation.

It was a great honour to attend WTKO Shogai for the presentation and to witness the club express their thanks to their instructor.

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Plaques and Name Board section shop page

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The 7 virtues of Bushido

The 7 virtues or principles that the Samurai strove to achieve at the highest levels would have enabled them to become the consummate diplomat.

These principles are:
Gi - Righteousness – rightness or practice; exact conformity to truth, or to the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws; (moral) uprightness, integrity; honesty; morality; straightness.
Yu - Courage – the quality of a confident character not to be afraid or intimidated easily but without being incautious or inconsiderate; the ability to do things which one finds frightening; …”Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” ~ Mark Twain
Jin - Benevolence – disposition to do good; charitable kindness; an altruistic gift or act.
Rei - Respect – an attitude of consideration or high regard; good opinion, honour, or admiration; polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.
Makoto - Honesty – the act, quality, or condition of being honest; to be truthful.
Meiyo - Honour – an objectification of praiseworthiness, respect (for example: something that represents praiseworthiness, respect).
Chugi - Loyalty – unswerving in allegiance; faithful in allegiance to one’s lawful sovereign or government; faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due; faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product; the state of being loyal; fidelity.

We will keep a limited stock without the additional Hanko, specials can be made to order with approximately a 2 to 3 week delivery dependent on workload going through the shop. 

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Plaques and Name Board section shop page

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Senior SKIF Instructor receives a Nafudakake

In October 2015 we had an inquiry for a Nafudakake. The contact came after a recommendation from a 3rd party to contact us to see if we could help out. Our client knew they wanted a special presentation piece, but was unsure what they wanted to include in the design. Oh, and they wanted it for a specific date approx 4 weeks from the inquiry. This is a little quicker than our normal 4 to 6 weeks for delivery that we normally quote, however we were able to swap a few things round and prioritise the commission. Our client was able to provide an image of the SKIF logo and photos of a grading certificate and belt.
We like to use an existing translation if possible, but in this case as is common that people have a few slight variations to how their name is presented in katakana. The Dan grade certificate used the full Christian name, whereas the belt used the shortened version, there were also two different representations of the surname.  At this point in the design we will explain the differences and make a recommendation to our client. We traced the logo into our graphic design package for inclusion in the nafudakake and used the kanji at the base of the logo on next two nafuda. Maple has been used for the nafuda, this gives a strong contrasting background to both the logo and the kana, they were wrapped in a black kake. Every commission is different, but personally I like the balance of a five nafuda piece. 

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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An Overview of Nafudakake for Individuals

The Nafudakake is a frame of wooden name tags of members of a Dojo.
You will see many variants throughout Japan using either a frame or pegs and hooks.
Most are usually basic in construction and the Nafuda are reused by sanding down and writing the name of a new member over the top.
Soto Sabisu's Nafudakake for Individuals is designed as a presentation piece and the Nafuda are fixed in the kake (frame).
We can incorporate almost any information you want, Association logo and or Kanji,Club logo or kana, titles, rank, name etc.

How to order your Nafudakake
Step 1. To make an enquiry E-mail sotosabisu@btinternet.com with the following details:
1. Rough idea of what you want, Club / dojo name in English
2. Current translation if you have one, photo of logo with Kanji on etc.
3. Select the materials for the Nafuda and the Kake.
4. Deliver address – it will be sent as a “signed for” parcel.
Step 2 Soto Sabisu will complete the graphic design and send you an image for approval along with an Invoice. This usually takes a number of E Mails back and forth while we develop your commission with you.
Step 3 Approve the image and make a payment either by BACS or via PayPal with a 5% surcharge Step 4 Soto Sabisu will dispatch your Nafudakake approx 4 to 6 weeks after step 3.
100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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JKA Norway celebrates 10 years of Clementsen Sensei at Chugi Dojo

In April 2015 we completed and shipped a Nafudakake to Norway. The client selected Maple for the Nafuda and a black kake.
The Nafudakake celebrates Clementsen Sensei's 10th Anniversary of the Chugi Dojo.
The Japanese for founder is "soritsu-sha", a photo of his belt provided the katakana for Sensei's Surname and the Kanji for Sensei were added.
10 Ar 2015 in English reads 10 years 2015, but more accurately it reads 10 years and then Heisei 27th year. This is the imperial calendar counting from and including 1989. We are in the 27th year of the Emperor = 2015.
Soto Sabisu send our best wishes to Clementsen Sensei and the Chugi dojo, Osu!

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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Craig celebrates Yondan with a Nafudakake

In April 2015 we completed a Nafudakake for Craig Williams of Seibukan Karate Club in Nottingham.
A gift from his parents to celebrate his passing "Yondan" with Kagawa Shihan in March.
The Nafuda are made from Maple, this light coloured hardwood is an ideal background when a club logo is being incorporated in the design and the black kake provides a strong contrast to the Maple.

The Logo was traced in our graphic design package and converted to a vector image.
Each of our Nafudakake are custom made and we like to pride ourselves on detail and producing just what the customer wants.

Craig's Nafudakake took approx nine hours from start to finish.
If you are interested in commissioning a Nafudakake for yourself or a "special gift" for an instructor, please E Mail sotosabisu@btinternet.com

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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A Nafudakake Birthday gift

In March 2015 we completed a commission for the Slaney family, a special birthday gift for Kevin Slaney Sensei, from the Highland Karate Association in Scotland.
We were asked to incorporate Funakoshi Sensei's "Hatsuun Jindo" = "Parting the Clouds, Seeking the Way" The montage shows how the commission slowly comes together - enjoy - Osu!

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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Fonts

In 2015 Soto Sabisu extended its range of available fonts.
DF Block and Brush font will remain our two core products, but we will be able to translate into any of the fonts listed below.
 In addition, we are also able to "trace" kanji in any font that you currently use, to incorporate in either a Nafuda or Hanko.

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A Nafudakake for a Shuseki Shihan

In December 2014 I was working on a project that required something a little bit special.
I had just purchased a very special "AAAA" grade quilted maple board.
Quilted maple ratings go from "A" to "5A", "3A" is High quality and "5A" is premium. "4A" quilted maple is used extensively in custom guitar and musical instrument manufacture.
I thought I would share with you the second and final nafudakake that was made from this very special hardwood. The quilting effect in the maple is not always easy to pick up with the camera, but I hope you will notice the changes to the tones in the wood.
The majority of our nafudakake come with an translation at the base of each nafuda. However if we manufacture for a Japanese instructor this is not applicable.

A fitting gift for a Shuseki Shihan, Shihan ni rei, Osu!
Soto Sabisu can source hardwoods from almost anywhere in the world and we try and maintain a stock of all our regularly selected timber.
If you are interesting in comissioning a nafudakake please drop me a line by E Mailing - sotosabisu@btinternet.com

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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Nafudakake for new promoted Instructor

It is quite common for Soto Sabisu to work with our clients to improve the quality of their existing club or association logos. Recently we were commissioned to produce a Nafudakake for the the chief Instructor of Budo Kan Karate Do, part of the Zenshin Ryu Federation.

The quality of the logo was not a standard that we could use, so we had to totally recreate it in our graphics design package.
This service would typically cost around £50 if you were have embroidery produced etc, but here at Soto Sabisu we are interested in building long term relationships with our clients and typically undertake the work for 50% of cost price.

We will also supply the client with the artwork so they are free to use it on their stationary, website and clothing etc all as "added value".
Hopefully this is seen very positively by our clients and may result in repeat business in the future.
The Nafudakake was assembled using oak nafuda in an oak kake. We also translated the club name into Kanji.
Soto Sabisu would like to congratulate Steve Stier Sensei on his recent promotion (2014) to Godan, Osu!
The kana  and graphics supplied by Soto Sabisu were used by the club to produce the banner below.

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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A Nafudakake exported to Norway.

In November 2014 we shipped our first commission to Norway grin emoticon Our normal policy is only to produce nafuda for English names, due to our limitations of producing accurate translations of foreign names.
If you already have a translation that you wish to use we can of course produce the nafuda to your requirements.
Our customer had requested the nafudakake as a gift from one dojo to another to celebrate their 25th Anniversary.

Understanding that the gift was from one Norwegian club to another we suggested that we try our first Norwegian / Japanese nafudakake.
Reading from right to left:
Lyderhorn dojo, 25 years old, gift from (kara no okurimono), Chugi dojo.
"Lyderhorn" is a name, so was translated into katakana,
"Chugi" means loyality / devotion and has its own kanji
and the Japanese for "gift from" was translated into hirigana.

Having all three types of text on one of our Nafudakake is unusual, but this is common in most Japanese writing e.g. newspapers etc.
Our best wishes go to the Lyderhorn dojo - JKA Norway, Osu!

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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A Nafudakake for Akashi's Chief Instructor

November 2014 saw another American cherry and maple combination of hardwoods used for the Nafuda.
This combination is proving to be very popular in a black kake.

However you can choose from a wide selection of "stock" hardwoods, or we can source almost any hardwood from anywhere in the world if requested.
The club logo was reproduced in our graphic design package and then converted into a vector image. The rear of the kake is sealed with "Sekisui" tape from Japan.

If you are interested in commissioning a Nafudakake drop us an E Mail to sotosabisu@btinternet.com

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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A Nufadakake headed for Scotland

There is no such thing as a "standard" nafudakake.
They are all custom made and usually require quite a lot of initial correspondence, design and only after all that can we start on preparing some wood... In October 2014 I was asked if I would make a nafudakake for Sensei Ronnie Ross, a great honor.
The HKA has been long established, and the logo I was sent looked like it was a similar age.
The HKA logo had to be reproduced in our graphic design package, the Shotokan tiger was re-proportioned to exactly match the original.
American cherry and maple were selected for the nafuda in a contrasting black kake.

We were asked to translate Highland Karate Association into Japanese. "Karate" and "Association" have kanji so no problem, "Highland" as a foreign word would normally be translated into Katakana. After some research we were happy to offer a Kanji translation "Takai" which means high and "Kuni" which means land / Country.
So "all in all" about twelve hours was dedicated to producing this presentation piece and we were glad to hear that Ross Sensei was "impressed" with the workmanship.
The nafudakake was presented, the attached photo shows Sensei's Dave Hazard, Phil Owen, Ronnie Ross, Kevin Slaney and Richard MacKinnon.

If you would like to make an enquiry on commissioning a nafudakake just drop us a mail at sotosabisu@btinternet.com

Current costings can be found in the relevant shop page please click on the button below to view.

"Click" to go to - Nafuda section shop page

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