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.The culture of using seals dates back to 5th millennium BC Mesopotamia. It reached Japan by AD 57 — though it’s likely it was even earlier. After the Taiho Code (the administrative and penal code of the Taiho era) was enacted in 701, the Imperial family began using hanko for important contracts. Each emperor has a specific seal created especially for them. The aristocracy started getting seals made by the late Nara period, around 750, and samurai got into the game during the Kamakura period and beyond. It was in the Meiji Period (1868-1912) that the hanko became widely used across the country when a new law enforced a unified national system of certification. The hanko is now a cultural item passed down from generation to generation, and is an important item for Japanese people to confirm their “will” and “responsibility” in everything that’s signed between the government, corporations and individuals.
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Hanko Today, Hanko Tomorrow
Despite fears of the hanko disappearing as banks increasingly allow handwritten signatures and digital methods of verification, the humble hanko still remains popular. Those in favor of phasing out the hanko complain that it’s part of an outdated system. However, the reason it has lasted so long (and why it will remain in the future) — it’s an integral part of Japanese culture. Hanko are used at the most significant moments in people’s lives: when submitting marriage certificates, registering births, purchasing cars and buying houses — even certifying death certificates. Because of this, hanko are increasingly popular gifts at weddings, coming of age day, and other important occasions. Given the hanko is synonymous with major life events in Japan, it won’t be going away anytime soon.
Kamakura Hanko Craftsmanship
Originally opened in 1951 in the Kansai region by Satoshi Tsukino, Kamakura Hanko is now run by third-generation owner Mitsuhiro Tsukino. Passionate about sharing and preserving hanko culture, he carves custom hanko by hand just 5 minutes away from Kamakura Station. The store sources its seal stocks directly from Yamanashi – the largest producer of hanko stocks in the nation – and offers more than 30 types of high quality materials from stone to horn and wood. The selection of over 100 hanko cases, also made by Yamanashi craftsmen, offers a design to suit almost any style.
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Traditional Hanko
Their consultation allows customers a profound glimpse into a fascinating tradition that relies upon an intricate balance of numerous elements to provide just the right hanko for each individual.
It is a complex equation that takes into account not only a person’s name and personality but also the specific aspects of their life that they wish to emphasize in order to invite good fortune: love, money, family, success, material wealth, and human relationships, among others.
Working closely with each customer to carefully select the desired font and size, they then exercise exact precision when carving the hanko to be sure that the positioning and thickness of every stroke in every character reflects the specific desired attributes.
Also of primary consideration is the stroke count in the characters used for the hanko, with the total number assigned a meaning that is considered fundamentally positive or negative.
While many parents in Japan carefully consider this sort of stroke geometry when naming their newborn children, circumstances can shift later in life — such as when one acquires a hanko following a name change via marriage. In cases where the new stroke count totals an inauspicious number, they can make adjustments through our carving method – ensuring all customers leave with a hanko seal that is representative of their true self.
。Characters:
Katakana
A Japanese typeface. In the Heian period Manyokana script was used to transcribe Chinese texts in Japanese, but Katakana became crucial to write fast and briefly. Today Katakana is generally used for the transcription of foreign words into Japanese, particularly recently borrowed words.
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Hiragana
A Japanese typeface. Hiragana was also derived from Manyokana characters. Hiragana originally became popular with women of the imperial court. Today, hiragana script is generally used for native Japanese words that have no kanji counterpart.
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KANJI
Kanji is a type of ideograms. It was originally made in China to transcript Chinese. Looking at the composition of Kanji, they are shapes of things, copies of abstract concepts and a combination of both. There are exceeding in number of fifty thousand kanjis. Six thousand to seven thousand are used in literature, while three thousand are used on a daily basis.
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Alphabet
Each letter in general is one kind of a phonetic transcript that includes consonants and vowels, which also refer to a traditional arrangement of letters. The word “alphabet” comes from α ,“alpha”and β “beta,” which are the first two letters of the Greek alphabet.
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All Hanko Are Not Equal
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The hanko is still an intrinsic part of the fabric of Japanese daily life. The jitsuin is an official registered seal. There are strict specifications with regards to size, design and materials. The owner of this stamp is the only person allowed to use it — you cannot hand it over to your spouse or children to use in your place. The ginkoin is a registered seal for bank dealings. Like the jitsuin, there are strict design and material specifications that must be followed. The mitomein is where you can get a little creative. You’re allowed to own as many as you like, but getting a high-quality hanko means you can hand it down to your children or grandchildren. By creating a custom-designed hanko you add a personal touch to your seals, and it’s an excellent method of self-expression in a society where such outlets can be few and far between.
.Using Your Hanko — The Perfect Seal
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If you already have a hanko, are you sure you know how to use it correctly? Everyone who has used a hanko will have encountered some or all the following issues: stamping your name upside down or at an angle, smudging the seal, getting an uneven print, or even double stamping. Despite its simplicity, using a hanko is an art and takes practice. Here are some quick tips to help ease the process:
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1. Buying Your Hanko
Although you can find cheap hanko at most stores selling hanko, the quality and materials matter more than you think. High quality hanko reduce the risk of ink bleeding outside of the lines. They’re also made to last, meaning you don’t have to replace them every couple of years. By getting a personalized seal, you can choose the materials as well as the design, making sure it looks the way you want it and it lasts for as long as you need.
2.Holding Your Hanko
Holding your hanko correctly will decrease the chances of accidental blurring or stamping your name upside down. Grip the hanko between your forefinger and the thumb and bend the middle finger to add support on the opposite side. Check the bottom of the stamp to make sure the top of your name is aligned with the forefinger. The top end of the hanko should press against the ball of your hand for additional balance. Use a strong grip and lower the hanko slowly to get an even, perpendicular imprint.
3. Tap that Red Ink
One of the easiest mistakes to make is to press the hanko into the red ink pad too hard. This causes the ink to bleed between the lettering. Instead, lightly tap your hanko into the ink pad 2-3 times. This will create a more even ink distribution. Many modern ink pads use fast drying ink that minimizes the risk of blotting, but it never hurts to have a light touch.
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4. Make Your Mark Using a Mat
A natsuin mat — a seal mat — is a cushioned mat used underneath the paper you’re stamping, and is a worthwhile investment for business use. The mat helps even out the pressure to create a smooth imprint and is a necessity when stamping on uneven desk surfaces. It has the extra advantage of preventing slippage.
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5. Make a Shape When You Stamp
To ensure an evenly distributed stamp — without missing letters that will require you to repeat the action — imagine you’re writing the hiragana character while pressing down. If you’re not too confident about your hiragana skills, adding pressure in a clockwise motion will provide a similar effect.
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Taking Care of Your Hanko
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It’s important to treat your hanko with care. Consider registered hanko as important as your passport in terms of personal identification and store them safely, ideally under lock and key. Basic advice for hanko care:
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Keep your hanko in its case when not in use to prevent any external damage
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Keep it in a cool and dry place, out of direct sunlight
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After use, make sure to wipe any residual ink off
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Store your jitsuin hanko separately from the hanko registration card or any contracts you have used it with
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Store your ginkoin hanko in a different place from your bank book
If your hanko is stolen, report it to the police. Also, make sure to cancel it at your local ward or city office. If you’ve lost it, you must still cancel it. In this case, bring a new one along when you go to the ward office so you can register it as soon as you canceled the old one. You must then go to any bank you have used your registered inkan with to register it there, too. If you have signed any longstanding agreements — like a mortgage — you may need to redo the paperwork with the new hanko.
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