When we get a commission we often supply a few options for our client to consider before production. A block font was eventually selected because it allowed us to match the kanji used for the association title with the katakana used for the the instructors name.
There are usually a number of different ways to represent a foreign name in katakana. We always try and offer advice to a client of the best translation to use.
Our preference is to stick to an existing translation if it is supplied by their association. Secondly we will use a translation they have used in the past, for example on a belt. If required we will of course provide a translation.
Our client could not provide a copy of any of the perspective recipient's dan grade certificates and he did not have a photo which showed clearly kana from a belt.
The nafadakake was being made for an association chief instructor and I had remembered reading in the past that he had commented that even the Japanese in the press had represented his name incorrectly. The pressure was on ... The commission was to be a gift so it was not possible for our client to ask directly.
I searched the WTKO website for a translation, no joy. Eventually it dawned on me, where to find an accurate translation ... "Google" , no not Google Translate, but Google Images. I had recent written an article on my karate club website on what the kana on Japanese grading certificates meant. The layout is similar for most Japanese style organisations. The name of the recipient would appear as the Chief Instructor of the association. I "googled" WTKO dan certificate and an image came up with someones Shodan certificate and a clear image of the chief instructors name in Katakana.
There was another reason why I was particularly proud to be producing a nafudakake for Amos Sensei. About five years ago he had clicked a "like" button, no big deal you may say, well it was for me.
I had just made my first nafudakake for my own club, after not being able to find anyone to make me one.
It had taken me many months of struggling with images, because I was not working in a graphic design package and having many abortive attempts at getting the images onto hardwood.
I wasn't very happy with what I produced, but at quite a superficial level it looked ok.
I put an image on Facebook of my nafudakake, it had ash nafuda in a walnut kake, I wondered if I could try and make them commercially, but the quality at the time was not even close to a commercial product.
Anyway it was just too difficult, the amount of effort that had gone in was not reflected in the output. I was ready to say well, I gave it my best , but that is all I have.
That one click from an instructor thousands of miles away changed everything for me. I can clearly remember telling my wife, Richard Amos "liked" my photo ... Richard Amos ... I just got a blank look, it was no use explaining ....
That one click of silent encouragement was enough for me to spend five hundred hours plus to improve and improve, until I produced a version that in my opinion was of a commercial quality.
Always an honour to produce a piece for a senior instructor.
I wonder if one day I will ever get an opportunity to train at the WTKO Honbu dojo in New York.
I suppose I could have offered to deliver it in person.
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