What are hankos? What is ‘hanko culture’ for Japanese people?
Are you familiar with Japanese stamps “hanko”?
Japan has a long-standing culture of using hankos.
Instead of signing their names, people use hankos with their names engraved on them.
Stamping is more efficient than writing names with a pen, and in simple cases, a hanko alone is sufficient. In important procedures at banks, etc., a hanko is sometimes pressed next to the signature to indicate proof. In this way, hankos are used for various purposes in Japanese society, from simple proof to official contracts and identity verification. However, I don’t think there are many Japanese people who can answer why hankos came to be used. In fact, the stamp culture originated in China and has been used as an official hanko in Japan since the Nara period (about 1,300 years ago). Nowadays, it has become a part of daily life, and few people question why it is used. That is how natural the hanko culture is for Japanese people.
In many countries, signatures are used as a means of identification, but in Japan, hankos still play an important role. Many Japanese people feel that hankos are more formal and reliable than handwritten signatures.
When I was a child, I wanted my own hanko so badly that I carved my name into an eraser to make an eraser hanko. When I graduated from middle school, I was thrilled to receive a real hanko as a gift, feeling like I had finally become an adult.
This uniquely Japanese hanko is now very popular among foreign tourists.
Why are shankos popular among foreigners? Three reasons for their appeal
In Tokyo, hanko shops are visited by foreign tourists every day. Why is that, even though they are not tourist attractions?
Actually, Japanese hanko shops offer a service where they translate foreign tourists’ names into Japanese and create hankos using hiragana, katakana, or kanji. They can be completed in just a few days, so you can make your own hanko during your stay in Japan.
Japanese kanji characters are very cool, so they make great souvenirs for family and friends.
Hankos are a representative part of Japanese culture. They are also very compact, artistic, and practical.
They are the perfect souvenir from Japan.
Custom-made experience: Make a hanko with your name!
How do you order a hanko?
Let me explain step by step!
First, choose the material for the hanko. You can choose from various materials such as resin, wood, water buffalo horn or tusk, and metal. I recommend resin. There are many cute designs available. If you are unsure, go with resin.
Next, decide on the shape of the hanko. Round or square?
The most common shape is round. If you prefer a cute design, we recommend round. If you want a more stylish hanko, go for square.
Finally, choose the font.
Alphabet or Japanese?
If Japanese, will you use hiragana, katakana, or kanji for a stylish look?
Using kanji for your name makes it super stylish! In fact, each kanji character has its own meaning. It’s also nice to choose kanji characters that have the meaning you want.
I’m excited to see what kind of hanko will be completed!
Various uses! Ways to use hankos as souvenirs of your trip
You can also stamp hanko greeting cards for your family and friends and send them. Or, why not try stamping your favourite book or diary?
The way you use it is up to you. Enjoy your own unique hanko culture!
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