01

The History of Hanko in Japan

Hanko culture is believed to have been introduced to Japan from ancient China.
One of the oldest and most famous historical examples is the “Golden Seal,” which was given to Japan in the year 57 AD.
At first, hanko were mainly used by rulers and government officials as official proof and symbols of authority.
Later, the culture spread to samurai and merchants. During the Edo period, hanko became especially important for trade and business agreements.
In commercial areas such as Nihonbashi, Tokyo, hanko played an essential role in contracts and commercial transactions.
Today, digital systems and signatures are becoming more common, but hanko are still widely recognized as part of Japanese culture and daily life.

02

Different Types of Hanko Used Today

There are several types of hanko in Japan depending on the purpose.
A registered hanko, called “Jitsuin,” is officially registered with a local government office and used for important contracts such as real estate or car purchases.
A “Ginko-in” is used for banking procedures and bank account registration.
A “Mitome-in” is a more casual everyday hanko used for receiving packages or simple paperwork.
At Hoshino Inbo, we provide in-store consultation to help customers choose the appropriate size, style, and material according to their needs.
We also support foreign residents in Japan who need practical hanko for daily life or official procedures.

03

Why Do Japanese People Use Hanko?

In Japan, a hanko is more than just a stamp.
It represents a person’s name, identity, and responsibility.
Unlike handwritten signatures, hanko are carved individually, making each imprint more unique and difficult to copy exactly.
At Hoshino Inbo, even customers with the same name receive different layouts and design adjustments whenever possible, helping create original and distinctive hanko.
Because the same imprint is consistently used over time, hanko have traditionally been considered a reliable form of personal verification.
Japanese hanko culture also reflects traditional Japanese aesthetics connected to kanji, calligraphy, and craftsmanship.

04

Why Japanese Hanko Are Unique

Japanese hanko are individually designed and carved one by one.
Unlike signatures, hanko require ink paste called shuniku to make an imprint, which makes them more difficult to copy easily.
Custom-made hanko also have unique characteristics in the character layout,
carving style, and overall design.
Because the exact same imprint is difficult to reproduce, hanko have long been used in Japan as a personal form of identification and proof of identity.

05

Hanko as a Japanese Cultural Experience

Today, custom kanji name hanko are also popular with international visitors.
Many travelers enjoy creating their own Japanese-style name using kanji characters based on pronunciation or meaning.
At Hoshino Inbo, we carefully adjust each design so that every hanko
becomes unique to its owner.
This individuality is one of the special qualities of a custom-made Japanese hanko.
As a Japanese cultural souvenir, a custom hanko becomes a unique and
personal memory from Japan.