Tempoo Uchimura内村天風

干支 2027 · 未

The Year of the Sheep leaves Japan.

For ten years his zodiac seals marked the New Year in a published Japanese series, 心に残る和の年賀状. For 2027 — 未, the sheep — that annual seal is offered outside Japan for the first time.

Stand-in. The 2027 seal is carved in August and photographed in September.

Who carves it

Tempoo Uchimura (内村天風), born 1955, works from the 雀庵 atelier in Habikino, Osaka. His 篆刻源氏物語 — the fifty-four chapters of the Tale of Genji as bird-and-worm seals in pure gold leaf — was featured in the 新美術新聞 in 2015.

What the script is

鳥虫篆 is an ancient ornamental seal script whose strokes resolve, on close looking, into birds in flight and insects at rest. 和風鳥虫篆 — the Japanese-style form — is his own invention.

The certificate and the box

Every piece carries a certificate of authenticity hand-stamped with his 落款, a serial number recorded from 001, and a wooden box.

Three ways to own it

  • The carved seal

    The 未 sheep, cut by hand into stone. Included: the seal itself, the first impression pulled by his own hand, the hand-stamped certificate, and the box.

    Twelve for the zodiac — edition of 12, serials 001–012.

    $250–350

    Listings open October 2026

  • 印影

    The impression print

    His sheep impression as a fine print on washi, for framing or for New Year display. Hand-stamped certificate.

    Numbered edition of 88.

    $60–90

    Listings open October 2026

  • 年賀

    The greeting set

    Eight cards printed from the impression — the 年賀状 gesture, sent from wherever you are.

    Open edition.

    $24–32

    Listings open October 2026

In time for the New Year

Shipping cutoff dates are confirmed with the carrier before listings open, and published here.

依頼Commission