What is Inpu? - A cultural heritage that conveys the beauty of seal carving to future generations
An essential part of seal carving is the "inpu" (seal record). An inpu is a book that compiles the seal impressions (seal impressions) of seal carvings, and serves as a record of the artist's own work, as well as a valuable resource for passing on to future generations.
The history of seal engraving is long, and the culture of seal engravings began to spread in China as early as the Ming dynasty. In particular, during the Qing dynasty, many literati and seal carvers compiled their own seals into seal engravings, and they increasingly came to be appreciated as works of art. In Japan, from the Edo period through the Meiji period, many seal carvers created seal engravings and competed for beauty.
Specialized Japanese paper called "insen" is used to create seal books. Selecting high-quality insen paper is crucial, as it must have minimal bleeding and produce clear lines and letters. Asia Tengei's Insen Books are palm-sized at 120 x 90 mm, yet are thick and have earned high praise among seal carvers for their ability to clearly express beautiful seal impressions without bleeding.
Furthermore, the Seal Records are not merely records, but also valuable as works of art. The orderly arrangement of the red-stained impressions on the white paper has a beauty that is almost like an abstract painting. By examining the Seal Records, one can even read the artist's technique and aesthetic sense, such as the composition of the seal characters, the carving of the stone, and the strength of the stamp.
In recent years, an increasing number of enthusiasts have been digitizing their seal records and sharing them on social media, drawing attention as a new culture that blends tradition and modernity. For those who want to start seal carving or who want to record their own seal impressions, seal records are the perfect tool for visualizing the trajectory of their creations.
Here are our recommended stamp books.
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