How Kao Are Constructed

[Drago]

Hi,

 

I seem to recall (either here or elsewhere) a text/website that showed the process of how kao (Japanese "signatures") are constructed - the way from the individual kanji to the signature.

 

Could somebody point me to this if you know?

 

Thanks!

[Stephen]

 

sorry couldn't resist 

[Kevin Adams]

 

[Brian]

 

[ROKUJURO]

They usually use TENSHO KANJI. See under https://www.is-hanko.co.jp/shachi/tensho_check.html

Hope that helps!

[SteveM]

They usually use TENSHO KANJI.

I think you are thinking of hanko or inkan. Kao don't normally use tensho. Historically they used sōsho (草書) but its such an individualized thing I don't think you could call it any particular style - not in Edo times, at least. 

The Japanese wikipedia site is very informative on this, but unfortunately the English mirror entry for kao is very weak. 

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8A%B1%E6%8A%BC

There is a video that might be of help in the middle of the site here

http://www.geocities.jp/whiteprince1jp/kou.html

Another Japanese site has a depiction of current prime minister Shinzo Abe's kao, and it might help to visually understand it (although I couldn't verify that this is Abe's actual kao). 

https://argusakita.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E7%BD%B2%E5%90%8D%E3%81%AF%E7%B7%B4%E7%BF%92%E3%81%8C%E5%A4%A7%E4%BA%8B%EF%BC%9F/sign-abe/ 

If, after all of this, you are still in the dark, give a shout. 

 

Edit: Try this site, it might be more useful. http://www.hanko-concierge.com/14375399383149