Is a Hanko Unique to Japanese Culture?
No, it isn't. It is also common in China and Taiwan. However, it could be said that no other country uses the hanko in as many different situations as in Japan. By the way, how many years do you think the hanko has been around?
Um, 500 years?
The correct answer is over 7,000 years!
A hanko is needed for contracts and procedures with local governments. Japan still treasures the culture of the hanko that has been nurtured by ancient civilizations. Because of this, there are unique types of hanko that cannot be found in other countries.
What is an Inkan?
An inkan is type of seal, known as a 'hanko' in Japanese, which has your first and last name engraved in it.
Although digitization has caused inkan use to go down compared to the past, most Japanese adults still have a personal seal such as a 'jitsuin' because they are needed for things in our everyday lives like rental contracts or mortgages.
These types of inkan must be registered with a local government to create an Inkan Certificate, which proves that the seal truly belongs to the person and is required for various situations involving contracts.
There are many different types of inkan available today. Here we will show you some of these types and how they came to be.
Hanko Goes Back Over 7,000 Years
Although the hanko is deeply rooted in Japan, it can actually be traced back to Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago.
Back then, the ancient Mesopotamians made stamp and cylindrical type seal which they used on clay tablets. At that time, letters or pictures were carved into a material such as animal bones, stone, or metal and then used to stamp things as proof of ownership. Various types of seals have also been found from the ancient Egyptian (about 3,000 BC) and Indus Valley Civilizations. These seals were treated preciously and also used as amulets and talismans.
People tend to associate seals such as hanko with China, but in fact, they weren't introduced there until much later, around 2,000 to 3,000 years ago.
After that, they were brought to Japan around the 1st century during the Yayoi Period and began to flourish during the Nara Period in the 8th century. It was during Japan's Meiji Period, around the turn of the 20th century that seals were widely used by ordinary households.
Even now, Shinto shrines use their seals to offer 'goshuin' stamps to people as proof that they really visited and made a connection with the gods there by praying. These could be considered a type of hanko too.
The Role of Inkan and Hanko: Not Only Japan But China and Taiwan Too
Seals such as hanko are tools that officially ensure a person's true intentions. This culture not only exists in Japan but in China and Taiwan too.
Seals in China
In China, the use of an personal seal is decreasing and being replaced by electronic verification and handwritten signatures. They are still used by corporations and in some business situations as a form of authentication, but digitization is rapidly taking over.
Seals in Taiwan
In Taiwan, the Electronic Signatures Act was passed in 2001, making it possible to use electronic signatures (e-signatures), in addition to signing with physical seals, with both parties' consent.
Handwritten signatures have also long been used in Taiwan, so the introduction of electronic signatures did not immediately end the use of physical seals and signatures. Seals are still used by people and corporations in many situations such as signing contracts and opening bank accounts because trust in them seems strong. The situation is somewhat similar to Japan's.
Times When an Inkan is Needed
A registered jitsuin seal is needed in Japan at times such as when signing a contract or moving into a new place. Here are some specific examples:
- Rental Agreement
- Enrollment in Various Insurance Policies
- Buying a House or Car
- Buying Real Estate
- Taking Out a Bank Loan such as a Mortgage or Car Loan
- And so on...
Also, for various government procedures like marriage registration, resumes, opening bank accounts, and withdrawals from savings accounts require something like a personal seal or bank seal.
Making an Inkan
Some people also order very precise original seals that take advantage of the properties of metal, as shown below.
Types of Inkan
Inkan can be classified by their material (inzai), shape, and font as described below.
Inkan & Hanko Materials (Inzai)
The material used to make inkan and hanko is called 'inzai'. The material used for seals must be durable and resistant to chipping, such as hardwood, metal, animal horn, tusk, and plastic.
Ivory
Ivory inkan have long been sought after as a high-grade luxury item.
Ivory is extremely durable with a fine grain, so it's possible to make a clear stamp with just a light amount of pressure. It also has a pleasant texture, it doesn't slip, and looks beautiful.
However, the Washington Convention of 1989 banned the international trade of ivory which prohibits the import of it to Japan and effectively domestic trade as well. As a result, ivory inkan are only produced little by little, using the leftover ivory purchased before the ban. In the near future, it will no longer be possible to make new ivory seals.
Metal
Inkan made with metals such as steel and titanium are strong and long-lasting, making them great for registered seals.
They also have a great deal of aesthetic appeal and a high level of design, making them great for gifts or mementos.
Mirain: A metal inkan with a stamp that reveals itself
Plastic
These have the advantage of being available in any color and easy to make. On the other hand, plastic can chip on impact, making it less suitable for uses including as a registered seal.
Wood
Woods such as ebony, Japanese box, and maple are used because they are firm, crack-resistant, durable, and have a smooth grain.
Inkan Shape
There are two main types of inkan; round and square. Corporate seals are often square and personal hanko are usually round.
Differences in Fonts
Some fonts include tensho-tai, reisho-tai, inso-tai, koin-tai, kisso-tai, sosho-tai, and gyosho-tai.
There are no official rules regarding the font used in seals, so you are free to choose any style you like.
Examples of fonts
Beautiful Inkan: A Hanko that Takes Advantage of Japanese Machining Techniques
Inkan can be brought out at each of life's milestones. Perhaps because they have grown attached to them, many people in Japan continue to use the seal they received from their family or school when they graduated as their official jitsuin seal. Stamping your seal onto something is a way of communicating your intentions to others. An inkan is not just an item, but a tool in which a person instills their feelings.
Many choose these special tools as gifts for children, grandchildren, and other loved ones on special occasions such as graduation, enrollment in higher education, passing exams, getting a new job, or getting married.
Now, we would like to introduce you to Mirain, a beautiful and innovative inkan that takes advantage of Japanese metal machining techniques.
Japan's metal machining techniques, precision metal cutting in particular, are among the best in the world. In fact, many Japanese companies are contracted to produce semiconductor and smartphone parts, which require a great deal of precision.
Mirain seals are made by taking advantage of these techniques to carefully cut the letters on the stamping surface so they can slide out and retract smoothly. Because of their highly decorative style, they are often given as gifts or mementos, not only in Japan but in countries such as Taiwan, China, and the USA.
We hope you enjoyed this look at inkan and hanko and realize that this culture will remain in Japan for some time to come. That's why you'll want to keep your favorite seal around for a long time!
