Hanko for Shin Gi Tai

We were recently approached by Shin Gi Tai to produce a Hanko that incorporated both the Club and Instructor's name. This is not a traditional Japanese layout, but is becoming increasing popular with our clients.

心技体 is the Japanese title "shin gi tai" or "shingitai." This can refer to the three elements of Sumo wrestlers or martial artists, "heart-technique-physique." Here is what each character represents: 心 (shin) mind, heart and spirit. 技 (gi) skill, knowledge and experience. 体 (ti) body and physical effort.

To make an Inquiry just 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 - Hanko and Inkan section shop page

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Modular Curved Nafudakake - MCN

We are excited to launch our new range of Nafudakake.

Following feedback from prospective clients that they love our traditional wooden Nafudakake, but wonder if there is a more affordable option, we have come up with a brand new range.

The range should be considered as semi permanent - nafuda can be changed by removing the end cap and sliding out the nafuda taking a little longer than the traditional system.

The "CMN - Curved Modular Nafudakake" is now available and is between 25% and 39% cheaper than the traditional hardwood range.

Also in the "Mad May - Double discount" sale you can get up to 30 % off the MCN range offer open until the 31st May 2017.

The frame is made from black anodised aluminium, 150mm high and curved in the vertical plane.
You get to choose how many nafuda you want to accommodate in each row (max 50) and how many rows you want to stack on top of each other.
You can always add rows as your dojo grows.

The nafuda are printed on high quality card and are inserted in individual 56mm sections behind protective plastic anti glare clear lenses.

The frames can be either screwed permanently to the wall or hung using a suspension system. The sections are fixed to the wall by removing the end caps of the last nafuda to reveal the fixing holes. We have also developed a suspension system option which is fully adjustable which allows your Nafudakake to be hung on picture hooks of similar - ideal if you train in a school or community hall.

Whether you are looking for a quality presentation piece or a Nafudakake for your dojo the MCN range may be just what you are looking for.

Modular Curved Nafudakake - MCN
	Frame Cost		Nafuda Cost
Number	Unit Cost	Total	Unit Cost	Total
3	£15	£45	£15	£45
4	£15	£60	£15	£60
5	£13	£65	£13	£65
6	£13	£78	£13	£78
7	£13	£91	£13	£91
8	£12	£96	£11.50	£92
9	£12	£108	£11.50	£103.50
10	£12	£120	£11.50	£115
11 to 20	£10	£various	£10	£various
21 to 50	£9	£various	£7	£various
51 to 100	£8	£various	£7	£various
100+	£7	£various	£7	£various
Available in "Block" or "Brush" font
Spare blanks available @ £1.50
Backing and Suspension System @ £0.75 per Nafuda
Free Postage to all UK non-premium Post codes
3 to 20 units - Europe / Worldwide Postage - £32
21 to 50 units - Europe / Worldwide Postage - £40
51 to 100 units - Europe / Worldwide Postage - £46
100+ units - Europe / Worldwide Postage - £50
Payments in GBP by BACS or Pay Pal at 5% Premium

Costed Example: Haxby Shotokan Karate Club - Yudansha Nafudakake
Frame - 2 rows of 14 Nafuda = 28 spaces @ £9.00 = £252.00
Nafuda - 23 nafuda @ £7.00 = £161.00
Blanks - 5 nafuda blanks @ £1.50 = £7.50
Association and Club Logos converted to vector images - free of charge
Total = £420.50 - free postage to non premium UK post codes
Europe or Worldwide Postage = £40.00
Suspension System additional 28 @ £0.75 = £21.00

Costed Example: Grantham Shotokan Karate Club - Association / Club Nafudakake
Frame - 1 rows of 7 Nafuda = 7 spaces @ £13.00 = £91.00
Nafuda - 7 nafuda @ £13.00 = £91.00
Association and Club Logos converted to vector images - free of charge
Total = £182.00 - free postage to non premium UK post codes
Europe or Worldwide Postage = £32.00

How to order your MCN
Step 1. To make an inquiry E-mail sotosabisu@btinternet.com with the following details:
1. Rough idea of what you want, club logo / dojo name, we can assist with design and translation
2. Current translations if you have them, photo of logo with Kanji on etc.
3. Select the font for the Nafuda.
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 a pro-forma 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.

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The way of the barefoot warrior

Recently we completed a re-working of a logo for one of our established customers and thought you might like to see the journey of creation, the "logo-do"

It is a normal trait of the martial artist to do everything to the best of your abilities - "Hitotsu! Doryoku no seichin o yashinau koto!"
Our client has a passion and we like to think we share this passion, so we were happy to keep making small adjustments until we reached a final design.
Most clubs will use their logo for many, many years so it is worth taking whatever time is necessary.


Our specialty is being able to offer a translation and selection of kanji to incorporate into your design.
Although not our core business we do offer Logo design and support to our customers.
Our services are restricted to offering "added value" to our martial art customers.

If you have an old Jpeg file we can look at converting to a vector image.
If the quality is too poor or you don't have an existing image we will work with you to produce a brand new design.
Our specialty is being able to offer a translation and selection of kanji to incorporate into your design.

Once completed you will receive your image in jpeg. and pdf. file, we can also send it in a cdr. which will allow your sign manufacturer to produce it in any size with no loss of resolution, even the size of a tower block if you want.

If you are interested in commissioning a vector image logo just drop us a 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 - Design section shop page

Top Tip
If you are accessing this site on your phone you may wish to view the "Web version" and access the menu in the side-bar to navigate. Just scroll down for the link.

Logo Design and Support

Although not our core business we do offer Logo design and support to our customers.
Our services are restricted to offering "added value" to our martial art customers.

If you have an old Jpeg file we can look at converting to a vector image.
If the quality is too poor or you don't have an existing image we will work with you to produce a brand new design.

Our specialty is being able to offer a translation and selection of kanji to incorporate into your design. The designs below in the rolling marquee are a mix of client images converted to vector or logos built from scratch.

Once completed you will receive your image in jpeg. and pdf. file, we can also send it in a cdr. which will allow your sign manufacturer to produce it in any size with no loss of resolution, even the size of a tower block if you want.

If you are interested in commissioning a vector image logo just drop us a 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 - Design section shop page

Top Tip
If you are accessing this site on your phone you may wish to view the "Web version" and access the menu in the side-bar to navigate. Just scroll down for the link.

Dan Grades and Titles

In the tables below I have set out some dan grade nafuda and some titles that are commonly found on nafudakake.
The designs can be used across our full range of traditional, modular (MCN) and virtual nafudakake.
There is also the option to use about a dozen different fonts. Click on the "fonts" link in the sidebar.

Dan Grades
Shodan	Nidan	Sandan
Yondan	Godan	Rokudan

Titles
Daihyo	Shihan	Shidoin
Shidohojoin	Soke	Senpai
Renshi	Hanshi	Kyoshi

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A selection of Stamps for Denmark

We have recently been working with WTKO Denmark to produce a selection of Hanko and Inkan for  the Association, Odder Shotokan Karatedo Kai and Individuals.

We were able to advise on the layout and Kanji used for other countries we had prepared stamps for so their is uniformity across the association from member countries.

From Left to Right:

1. 24mm x 24mm Hanko - WTKO Denmark

2. 12mm diameter Inkan - Morten

3. 16mm x 11mm Oval Inkan - Christian

4. 12mm diameter Inkan - Jan

5. 12 mm diameter Logo Inkan - WTKO

6. 24mm x 24mm Hanko - Odder Shotokan Karatedo Kai

For stamp (3) we advised using an oval shape to accommodate the six kana used for Christian

For stamp (5) we were asked for a stamp with the WTKO kanji to be used for annual renewal on licences. We advised that the kanji would be unreadable at this size and suggested that they considered a simplified logo instead. We worked up a single colour graphic design based of the WTKO logo which was approved and went into production.

If you have a project in mind do not hesitate to drop us a mail to sotosabisu@btinternet.com, below is a table of our standard range, but we are always happy to accommodate custom requests. 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

Top Tip
If you are accessing this site on your phone you may wish to view the "Web version" and access the menu in the side-bar to navigate. Just scroll down for the link.

Hanko to Hall St, MI, USA

I have recently been working with Mata Sensei from the Kyoseikan Dojo, who was inquiring about a Hanko for Grand Rapids Aikikai.
I was sent an image of what they required for their Hanko.

The first two lines read Grand Rapids and the bottom line reads Aikikai.
The first two kanji are the first two kanji from"Aikido" a relatively modern martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba, the last Kanji "Kai" means association.

I often exchange a few mails with clients to ensure they get the best design. In this case my comments were that a normal layout for a Hanko would be vertical text reading right to left.
The next comment regarded the Kanji for "ki" it was different from my stock kanji, but after a little bit of research I found both were commonly used.

Comparison of the two versions of Aikikai

Ki 気 is the modern kanji and the older form was 氣. This original version combined a radical 气 meaning steam or breath and the kanji for rice 米. Putting these together represented the vapour that rises from rice when you cook it; and this had connotations of life-giving or vital energy, with rice being such an important staple food. This old kanji is the one that O Sensei used in his own calligraphy. The modern version is simplified: 気.

Below is a table of prices for our Personal and Business stamps, we also do many custom sizes to match your needs, just drop us an E Mail to sotosabisu@btinternet with some outline details of your requirements. Delivery to the UK is approx. 7 to 10 days and Worldwide 10 to 14 days from approval of design and payment. 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

Top Tip
If you are accessing this site on your phone you may wish to view the "Web version" and access the menu in the side-bar to navigate. Just scroll down for the link.