Purchase a work

I create both ready-made and custom-made calligraphy artworks. On this page you can find information about how to purchase both kinds of artworks. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me, with no obligation to place an order.

READY-MADE CALLIGRAPHY WORKS

A range of ready-made artworks is available on my Etsy store.

My original (not print) works are one-of-a-kind, hand-written by me, using Japanese sumi ink and a traditional fude brush, and stamped with my unique hand-carved seal as proof of originality and authenticity. For more information on these tools, check out the About Japanese Calligraphy page.

For all artworks, postage is free within the UK, £10 elsewhere.

Below are some works from my Etsy site (click the images to purchase from Etsy):

A Japanese calligraphy work of 4 characters, white paper in a black frame. The ink is mainly black, with some part of the characters written in coloured metallic inks.
桜梅桃李
“Never Compare Yourself to Others”
A Japanese calligraphy work of 1 character, black ink on white paper, in a black frame.
悟 “Satori” / “Enlightenment”
A Japanese calligraphy work of 1 character, black ink on white paper, in a black frame.
和 “Peace”
A Japanese calligraphy work of 1 character, black ink on white paper, in a black frame.
茶 “tea”
A Japanese calligraphy work of 1 character, black ink on white paper, in a black frame.
龍 “dragon”
A Japanese calligraphy work of 1 character, black ink on white paper, in a black frame.
恵 “Blessed”

CUSTOM-MADE CALLIGRAPHY WORKS

Is there a certain word or phrase that you would like to see as a Japanese calligraphy work? If so, please email me.

My aim is to create the perfect calligraphy work for you.

I enjoy collaborating with my clients at every stage of the process to create something unique and special which reflects my clients’ wishes.

To create my works I use Japanese sumi ink and a traditional fude brush. Each work is stamped with my unique hand-carved seal as proof of originality and authenticity (although this can be left off if desired). For more information on these tools, check out the About Japanese Calligraphy page.

I am open and honest about my options and prices. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me, with no obligation to place an order.

Two images of a 3-character Japanese calligraphy artwork with a red enso in the background. The image on the left is the client's first sketch. The image on the right is the finished artwork.
心技体 “heart, mind, body” LEFT: an early sketch by the client. RIGHT: the finished artwork. (The characters were changed to more accurately reflect the client’s wishes.)

⬇️ To find out more about the commission process, see below! ⬇️

THE COMMISSION PROCESS:

STEP 1 – IDEAS

The first step is to email me with your ideas:

  1. What words/phrase would you like? (See below for more details.)
  2. What is your preferred size, shape, and colour? (See below for details.)
  3. Please let me know any other important details – for example, a particular style or mood that you would like your artwork to express.

If you’re unsure about any of the above, please let me know. I’m happy to give more information and recommendations so that you can make the right choice.

1. WORDS/PHRASE

What word/phrase/characters you would like expressed in Japanese calligraphy?

If it’s not originally a Japanese word/phrase, I’ll find a Japanese translation that accurately captures the meaning, tone, and nuance of your intended phrase.

Although I am fluent in Japanese, I am not a Japanese native speaker. For this reason I double-check all translations with a native Japanese speaker (who is a teacher of the Japanese language) to guarantee an accurate and suitable translation.

2. SIZE, SHAPE, COLOURS

Japanese calligraphy works are traditionally created using black ink and white paper.

My standard size options use black Japanese sumi ink, thick white card, and a black frame to match the ink.

There are 3 STANDARD SIZE OPTIONS:

Standard Option 1:

  • A5 size (15 x 21 cm or 5.8 x 8.3 inches)
  • White card, black ink, framed
  • Total dimensions with frame: 17.5×23.5×2 cm or 7×9.25×0.8 inches
  • Price: £60 

Purchase from my Etsy store

An A5-size framed 2-character Japanese calligraphy artwork, black ink on a white background. The artwork is displayed on a table next to an artificial plant.
まこ “Mako” (name of client’s cat)
– photo by client

Standard Option 2:

  • A4 size (21 x 30 cm or 8.27 x 11.69 inches)
  • White card, black ink, framed
  • Total dimensions with frame: 1.5x23x32 cm or 0.6x9x12.6 inches
  • Price: £80

Purchase from my Etsy store

An A4-size 2-character Japanese artwork, black ink, white paper in a black frame.
積読 “the act of buying books and letting them pile up, unread”

Standard Option 3:

  • A3 size (30 x 42cm or 11.7 x 16.5 inches)
  • White card, black ink, framed
  • Total dimensions with frame: 1.5x32x44.5 cm or 0.6×12.6×17.5 inches
  • Price: £100

Purchase from my Etsy store

An A3-size Japanese calligraphy artwork. There are 4 vertical lines of black text on white paper. The work is framed and hanging on a wall.
“Pain is inevitable, but suffering depends on you!” – a quote by Murakami Haruki
Three black frames of various sizes.
A3, A4 and A5 sizes, front view
The back of an A5-size frame.
A5 back view. A4 is similar to A5.
A3 has a hook but no stand.

OTHER SIZES:

If you would like other dimensions (e.g. if you already have a specific frame for the artwork) please let me know; card can be cut to your desired size. The price will be as for the nearest standard size. Please email me to discuss your wishes or click “Request Custom Order” from my Etsy store.

KAKEJIKU (TRADITIONAL HANGING SCROLL):

Japanese calligraphy artworks are often written on hanging scrolls called kakejiku.

This is a great option if you are looking for something very traditional.

I buy blank kakejiku hanging scrolls to order. There are various sizes and colours for you to choose from.

Please note: The shipping can take a few weeks as they come from East Asia and I am based in the UK, so this option is not recommend if you have a tight deadline. 

The price for this option is the price of the scroll (usually under £20), plus £80.

To commission a custom calligraphy work with this type of traditional hanging scroll, please email me to discuss your wishes or click “Request Custom Order” from my Etsy store.

A Japanese calligraphy artwork of 4 characters written vertically on a traditional hanging scroll. Characters 1, 2 and 4 are in black ink. Character 3 is in gold ink. The 4-character phrase means "a happy home".
和気藹々 
“a happy home”

Looking for something a bit different? Coloured card and coloured inks are also available. (£5 extra for coloured card, £5 extra for coloured inks). Please email me for more details or click “Request Custom Order” from my Etsy store.

A Japanese calligraphy artwork of 2 characters. The top is in silver ink, the bottom is in gold ink. The paper is dark blue. It means "yin-yang".
陰陽 “Yin-Yang” (Gold and silver metallic paint on dark blue card.)
A Japanese calligraphy artwork of 1 character. The ink is gold, and the paper is purple. It is in a black frame.
愛 “Love” (Gold metallic paint on purple card.)

DIGITAL IMAGES:

Ideal for tattoo designs!

The commission process is the same except that you will receive a high-resolution scan of your artwork instead of a physical product. To commission a digital image, please email me or click “Request Custom Order” from my Etsy store.

Price: £60

A 2-character Japanese calligraphy work, black ink on a white background. A tattoo of this work is pictured to the right.
珈琲 “coffee” as a digital image.
A tattoo of the 2-character Japanese calligraphy work pictured to the left.
The same image used as a tattoo by the client.
Image by Rebecca (the client).

STEP 2 – THE ROUGH DRAFT

After you’ve decided on some ideas, I’ll do a rough draft (or drafts) of your artwork and email it to you so that you can get a feel for what your ideas will look like as a finished artwork.

Two images of a 4-character Japanese calligraphy artwork. The image on the left is my first sketch. The image on the right is the finished artwork.
初志貫徹 “Completing one’s original intention​”. A previous commission. LEFT: the rough draft. RIGHT: the finished product.

STEP 3 – THE REAL THING

This is the stage where you give me your opinion of the rough draft(s), choose which option you’d like to go for, and let me know if there are any changes you’d like to make.

Once you’re happy with the rough draft, I’ll create the final product and email a photo to you to check.

When you’re happy with the final product, it’s ready for posting.

STEP 4 – PAYMENT

Before posting, I’ll take payment. I usually do this through my Etsy shop (accepts PayPal and credit card). If you’d rather not go through Etsy, I can also take payment through PayPal and UK bank transfer.

STEP 5 – POSTING

This is the final step. Once I’ve received payment I’ll package your artwork and post it via tracked mail. For customers within the UK postage is free.

For customers outside of the UK postage is £10 extra. I use Royal Mail International tracked. In my experience it usually takes under a week to reach North America.

An A3-size Japanese calligraphy artwork in a black frame. There are 3 lines of vertical black text on a white background.
重い魂 / 苦心の勝利 / 昔と同じものはない
“A heavy soul / A hard-fought victory / Nothing’s the same as it used to be”
A small Japanese calligraphy artwork of black characters on a small hanging scroll.
The client’s name in katakana characters (image by client)
A Japanese calligraphy work of 1 character, black ink on white paper, in a black frame.
翔 “to soar”

Read reviews from satisfied customers on my Etsy store

Ready to commission a unique custom-made calligraphy artwork? Feel free to email me to discuss your ideas, with no obligation to place an order.