<P> Gagō - in (雅号 印) are used by graphic artists to both decorate and sign their work . The practice goes back several hundred years . The signatures are frequently pen names or nicknames; the decorations are usually favorite slogans or other extremely short phrases . A gago in can be any size, design, or shape . Irregular naturally occurring outlines and handles, as though a river stone were cut in two, are commonplace . The material may be anything, though in modern times soft stone is the most common and metal is rare . </P> <P> Traditionally, inkan and hanko are engraved on the end of a finger - length stick of stone, wood, bone, or ivory, with a diameter between 25 and 75 millimetres (0.98 and 2.95 in). Their carving is a form of calligraphic art . Foreign names may be carved in rōmaji, katakana, hiragana, or kanji . Inkan for standard Japanese names may be purchased prefabricated . </P> <P> Almost every stationery store, five - and - dime store, large book store, and department store carries small do - it - yourself kits for making hanko . These include instructions, hiragana fonts written forward and in mirror - writing (as they'd appear on the working surface of a seal), a slim in tou chisel, two or three grades of sandpaper, slim marker pen (to draw the design on the stone), and one to three mottled, inexpensive, soft square green finger - size stones . </P> <P> In modern Japan, most people have several inkan . </P>

Where does the gold seal go on a certificate