“Hanko” and “Inkan”: Japanese Stamps and Personal Seals

Affixing a personal seal is the preferred method for authorizing documents.

It is common to stamp delivery invoices when receiving packages.

Decorative stamps featuring bright, colorful designs.

(Clockwise from left), A hanko vending machine at Don Quijote; a customer uses a touch panel to choose the characters for a seal; an uncarved stamp is placed in the machine.

The hanko corner at Ginza Itōya.