FAQ

I need to know if the www.stockkanji.com site is trustworthy?

When searching for "David" I find many options. Which is the right one to choose?

Do the Adobe PDF tattoo designs need to be mirrored when inked?

How long does it take to get my order?

Learning Japanese Calligraphy

Is it ok to practice calligraphy on regular computer printer paper?

Is it ok to make more ink if I start to run out or should I clean the ink stone first? 

 


I need to know if the www.stockkanji.com site is trustworthy?

We found this question doing a Google search along with an answer that is completely inaccurate. So let us answer the question here:

The designs on StockKanji.com are Japanese and the translations are accurate

But don't just take our word for it - for most designs we provide direct links to independent online Japanese dictionaries so you can simply click and verify the translation for yourself! And, when available, we provide links to independent resources such as Wikipedia, About.com and other sites and even books that provide further insight into the translation. And should you have further questions we welcome you to email us and we would be happy to provide more details.

We want you to be as happy with the translation as you are with Master Takase's beautiful art

StockKanji.com is a site of Japanese Calligraphy designs. There are a few Chinese sayings (sayings common to both languages) and we make this clear in the translation section of the design. There is overlap between written Japanese and written Chinese and sometimes the languages have different meanings for the same symbols. Our translations are purely from the perspective of the Japanese language.

We hope this answers the question, but if we have missed something or should you have further questions please let us know and contact us.


When searching for "David" I find many options. Which is the right one to choose?

StockKanji sometimes offers several translations for the same name. The reason being that translating names to Japanese is done phonetically (by how the name is pronounced) and so a different pronunciation will often mean a different translation.

How the name is pronounced is so important, in fact, that the first thing we do on each name page is give the pronunciation we used for the translation. For example, the first line you see for the name David gives the pronunciation used for the translation:

David when pronounced day-viD  in Japanese is which is read deividdo.

Unfortunately few websites provide this crucial information and this is the source of much confusion! StockKanji.com gives you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

It turns out that there are many, many different pronunciations for David. One can see from the excellent site Behind The Name - The Etymology and History of First Names that there are some six different ways to pronounce David:

DAY-vid (English), dah-VEED (Hebrew), da-VEED (French), DAH-vit (German, Dutch), dah-VEET (Russian)

And this is not even a complete list! And each different pronunciation means a different translation to Japanese. So when you search for David on StockKanji you will see we offer many of these pronunciations and a few more:

Alternate Translation(s): David (day-viD, deividdo), David (dah-veeD, daviddo), David (dAH-fiT, da-fitto), David (dah-vee, davi), David (dah-vee-do, davido), David (dAH-viT, da-vitto), David (de-viD, deviddo)

In American English the most common is David pronounced day-viD with the romaji deividdo. The link day-viD is the pronunciation and a link to our Pronunciation Guide. Our pronunciation guide is designed so that the pronunciation and translation to romaji is completely consistent and is checked automatically - guaranteeing no inconsistencies and no errors.

Further our translations are compared against several resources including on-line magazines that have translations for famous people. This way you can compare how a famous person's name is translated in the Japanese press. As you can see we have gone to great lengths for each name to provide detailed and accurate translations - and on top of this we show you much of the information so you can confirm the translation for yourself!

But should you still have questions or if your name is not in the catalog or if you use a different pronunciation, then please contact us.

For adding names to the catalog we do not add all names - Our intent is to add reasonably common names. For very rare names or rare pronunciations we recommend special ordering the name which may be done at Special Order Names in Japanese. If you are unsure, please just ask!


Do the Adobe PDF tattoo designs need to be mirrored when inked?

When using the Adobe PDF design for a tattoo, the design should appear on the skin just as it appears on the paper when you print it out.

Here a picture is worth a thousand words:

Notice that the hand-brushed artwork matches the line art. This is exactly how the Japanese calligraphy should appear on the skin when inked. Notice that it is also how the artwork appears when matching art is ordered.

So remember the design should appear on the skin exactly like the hand-lettered design.

We hope this answers the question, but if we have missed something or if you have further questions contact us and let us know.


How long does it take to get my order?

Except for the custom design all images can immediately be downloaded when your order is completed.

Stock Images - Immediately (this includes Adobe PDF and commercial use JPG formats)

All of the stock images, the Adobe PDF designs, you will receive immediately when your order is placed. Once your order is placed you will be given a confirmation page that will have links to each of the designs you ordered. You can click on the link and print the design or download it to your computer.

You may also log into your account and download the design again at a future date - the design is generally available for about one year from purchase. Though if you have trouble you are always welcome to contact us and request the design.

Matching Artwork - Mailed within Two Business Days

If you order artwork to match the design, the art will normally be completed with a day or two. We normally ship using USPS Priority mail which takes 2-3 days for US addresses and up to a few weeks for overseas addresses. We also offer USPS Express for overnight delivery.

Custom Art and Designs - A Few Days

Our personalized custom designs normally take several days. With custom designs we work directly with the client providing samples and explanations of the design, getting feedback and so on until the design is just right. We try to have new samples ready the next business day - so the process can take several days to complete. Though we are happy to rush designs when it is possible - just let us know your deadline.

We hope this answers the question, but if we have missed something or if you have further questions contact us and let us know.


Learning Japanese Calligraphy

 

Is it ok to practice calligraphy on regular computer printer paper? 

Generally, no. Computer paper will not absorb the ink nicely - that is the ink will just stay on the surface of the paper. Also computer paper is quite a bit sturdier than Japanese paper which means one may be learning to apply more pressure to the brush than Japanese paper can handle.

Getting a feel for how Japanese paper absorbs ink is important. Ink absorption is controlled both by the speed of the brush moving along the paper as well as the pressure applied to the brush. One of the samples in our first learning Japanese calligraphy CD shows a student who applied too much pressure and kept the brush in place for too long and ripped the ink soaked Japanese paper!  Such can only be learned by practicing on Japanese paper.

With that said there are other important things to learn for which practicing on newspaper is appropriate. Newspaper absorbs ink and behaves a little more like Japanese paper. So this is good for practicing new characters and to get the balance and stroke order right. Though keep in mind that newspaper is rougher than Japanese paper and this will reduce the life of the brush.

For the beginner then, a common practice session will first be spent using inexpensive newspaper. When the student feels comfortable with the stroke order and form of the characters they will then move to do a few practice works on Japanese practice paper. Finally it is good to do one final work - take a moment to breathe, practice the characters in one's mind and then do one and only one final work.

For more information see Learn Japanese Calligraphy with Eri Takase which features learning two on-line lessons from our unique learning CD's which show samples, explanations and videos of Master Takase brushing the characters. Finally you can see how to properly brush the characters!


Is it ok to make more ink if I start to run out or should I clean the ink stone first? 

You can make more ink while working. Just add water and begin grinding the ink again. Proceed as normal until the ink is again just right.

For more information see Learn Japanese Calligraphy with Eri Takase which features learning two on-line lessons from our unique learning CD's which show samples, explanations and videos of Master Takase brushing the characters. Finally you can see how to properly brush the characters!


 

 

 

 
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