Sanseki (Three Brush Traces) (三跡)
"Sanseki"refers to three established calligraphers. You can find Sanpitsu (three brushes) in each period in history, but no-one left more of a mark on subsequent ages than the Sanseki. Also written as "三蹟"(sanseki). They are also called "Sanseki of Jubokudo."
Sanseki
Three people who achieved great success in Japanese style calligraphy. Yusoku-yomi (a way of reading names expressing respect) are shown in parentheses next to each name below.
FUJIWARA no Yukinari ('Kozei')
- called "Gonseki" as he was Gon Dainagon (provisional chief-councilor of state).
FUJIWARA no Sukemasa ('Sari')
- called "Saseki" (佐跡) taking 'sa (佐)' from Sukemasa (佐理).
ONO no Michikaze ('Tofu')
- called "Yaseki" (野跡) taking 'ya (野)' from Ono (小野).
There is a well-known way to remember who the Sanseki are using yusoku-yomi: 'Mahotsukai Sari (Sari) no papa ga tofu (Tofu) wo kauzei (Kozei)' (this is the name of an episode of a famous Japanese anime series called "Sally the Witch"; it means "Sally the Witch's daddy buys some tofu").