Japanology Plus mini

Name Stamps and Seals

0.05mOctober 13, 2023

For hundreds of years, Japanese people have used name stamps, known as hanko, to sign their name. People use hanko in everyday situations, such as receiving a parcel, and in formal contexts, such as business transactions and marriage registrations. However, the move toward remote work, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, affected how these stamps were used. In a 5-minute digest, we discover the history of hanko and explore what a hanko-free future might look like.