Fine Japanese Calligraphy

The Art of Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

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Japanese Scroll of There is No First Attack in Karate (karate ni sente nashi) — Calligraphy by Eri Takase

There is No First Attack in Karate (karate ni sente nashi)

空手に先手無し
karate ni sente nashi

12 1/4" W x 43" H Japanese Scroll
by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

Master Takase personally brushes your Japanese scroll when you order. These high-quality Japanese scrolls are imported from Nara Japan and are meant to last generations. Your scroll is shipped within 1-3 business days from Master Takase's studio in Washington State and arrives ready to display.

Each scroll is a personal work of art — not a print — and proudly bears Master Takase's seal and signature. The scroll has silk borders and fine Japanese paper, layered so it hangs straight and will not warp over time.

$180.00

Font Designs are Master Takase's unique designs. Often she will use her own style or a combination of fonts and, without a classification limit, create exactly the look she wants.

Coming Soon — Summer 2026

Master Takase is preparing a new collection of hand-brushed scrolls. Each scroll is personally brushed to order.

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Description

There is No First Attack in Karate in Japanese is 空手に先手無し which is read karate ni sente nashi

The Japanese sentence karate ni sente nashi means "There is no first attack (strike) in karate" and reminds us, as Mr. Miyagi would say, "karate is defense only." This is the second rule in Niju Kun, or twenty rules, established by the founder of Shotokan Karate Gichin Funakoshi. For more information see the excellent article Karate ni Sente Nashi: What the Masters had to Say by Mark J. Tankosich.

karate ni sente nashi is composed of the kanji 空手 (read karate) meaning "Karate", the grammatical element に (read ni) meaning "in", 先手 (read sente) meaning "first move; first strike" and 無し (read nashi) the verb meaning "no; without.

About The Art: This beautiful hand brushed scroll by Master Takase is personally created at the time of your order and proudly bears her seal and signature. We exclusively import this high-quality scroll with brown silk borders and fine Japanese paper from one of the finest scroll makers in Nara Japan. This is not a print but is hand brushed to match the sample as closely as possible. This is a personal work of art that is designed to last generations.

Delivery: The scroll is completed and shipped within 1-3 business days and arrives ready to display.

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