While living in Japan, I studied carving stone name seals. Here is a selection of the seals I produced there. For examples of the actual carved stones, click this link Each design is carved into a small piece of soft stone or wood using a chisel. The use of animals as design motifs is an ancient custom that is no longer in use today. The practice of using a seal to sign one's name originated in China where they are called Chops and eventually moved to Japan they are called Hankos. The Hanko is used in Japan instead of the personal signature that we use here in western cultures and is just as legally binding. In much the same way as our signatures become a reflection of our personalities, the Hanko also will often reflect on the user. The style of carving and the choice of pictograph is an artform devoted to creating a unique personal statement.