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ABOUT US
The perfect, personalized Kamakura Keepsake
Kamakura Hanko offers a truly unique service. All production processes are handled in-house, including character entry, rough engraving, finishing, stamping and certificate creation. All Japanese Hanko seals are blessed at one of Kamakura’s most important shrines to ensure new owners are endowed with good fortune. Your name can also be stylized to create an auspicious design – said to improve your chances in love, business, and other areas in life.
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AWARDS & ATTESTATIONS
Kamakura Hanko is one of the most trusted Japanese Hanko seal brands in Japan !
・Our store was featured on the official Japanese government social media accounts
・Japan Heritage Certification
・National certification: First-class craftsman
・Winner of the Grand Prize for Crafts
・Awarded at the HANKO Exhibition
・Produced HANKO for ministers, members of parliament, mayors, etc.
・Produced HANKO for champion sumo wrestlers
・Produced goshuin HANKO for temples and shrines all over Japan
・Produced over 30,000 HANKO
OUR PRIDE
Kamakura hanko is one of the most trusted hanko rands in Japan
01
Crafted Finish
Nationally certified artisans carefully
carve each Hanko.
*Approximately 5 pieces produced per day.
02
Cultivated History
We have been in business for 3 generations spanning over 70 years.
03
Trusted Skills
We not only build hanko for temples/
shrines but for people from all over Japan.
TYPES OF HANKO
Here is a breakdown of the most common uses for personal hanko:
Japanese Seals: A Cultural and Practical Necessity
In Japan, seals, known as "hanko," are indispensable tools for verifying identity and authenticity. Deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and business practices, they serve a variety of purposes, from official documents to everyday transactions.
Types of Seals
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Jitsuin (Official Seal): The most formal seal, used for legal documents like contracts and certificates. It requires registration at a local government office.
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Ginkouin (Bank Seal): Used for bank transactions, such as withdrawals and deposits.
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Mitomein (Personal Seal): A more casual seal commonly used for everyday documents.
Common Uses of Seals
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Legal Contracts: For real estate, employment, and lease agreements.
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Government Procedures: Marriage, divorce, and inheritance registration.
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Banking: Opening accounts and withdrawing funds.
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Everyday Transactions: Receiving packages and approving internal documents.
Creating and Managing Seals
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Custom Seals: Can be ordered from specialty shops or online, with various designs and engravings.
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Safekeeping: Important seals are often stored in secure cases or safes to prevent theft or loss.
The Significance of Seals
Seals have long symbolized reliability and formality in Japanese culture. While digital signatures are becoming more prevalent, physical seals remain a cornerstone of many transactions.
Foreigners and Seals
Foreigners can also obtain and register official seals in Japan. The process involves creating a seal and applying for registration at a local government office. Necessary documents include a residence card, the seal itself, and identification.
Conclusion
Japanese seals are a unique aspect of the country's culture and business practices. Understanding their significance and usage is essential for anyone living or doing business in Japan.
JUTSUIN
Built for personal use, the Jutsuin is registered to its owner at the local government office or city hall and is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity.
GINKOIN
A registered bank seal mainly utilized to validate banking transactions.
MITOMEIN
The Mitomein is built mainly for personal use. It is often used to sign off on official work documents or to confirm receipt of delivery.
YUIN
The Yuin has characters that do not belong to a specific individual or corporation. Its custom designed characters can be used on letters, notebooks and as a decorative stamp.
OUR BEST SELLERS
Here is a breakdown of the most common uses for personal Hanko:
We can present various ways to write your name in Japanese and work with you to create a custom seal that can serve as a unique souvenir.
Once the design is finalized, we will begin engraving your name, ensuring that the finished product is ready for you by the afternoon of your workshop.
MAKE YOUR OWN HANKO
Experience Japanese tradition more intimately through one of our workshops!
BOOK WORKSHOP
INTERVIEWED BY;
The perfect, Personalized Kamakura Keepsake
MESSAGE
Kamakura Hanko is a long-established business, passed down through three generations. For Japanese people, the Hanko is a symbol of Japanese culture and we have handled over 30,000 seals, including those for major temples and shrines across the nation. We've also done work for sumo wrestlers who compete in grand sumo tournaments, popular actors and entertainers. All of our work is conducted in-house, with each seal carefully carved by nationally certified artisans.
We sincerely hope that you drop by our workshop for a visit!
Tsukino