Question 1

I was told I need a seal, but what kind should I make?

Accepted Answer

Although they are all called seals, there are different types depending on their uses.First, think about when you will use it.・A seal used to stamp contracts when purchasing a car, house, land, etc.Generally, the name engraved on a "real seal" that is registered with the government office and used is the full name.Depending on the local ordinances, you can generally register a seal from the age of 14.The size of the seal is usually 13.5 mm or more in diameter for women and 15 mm or more for men.・I want to use it when opening an account at a financial institutionIt is literally a "bank seal." Generally, it is made with only the family name or first name.The most common sizes of seals for both men and women are 12mm and 13.5mm in diameter.・I want to use it for workThe most common diameter for a personal seal is 10.5 mm, but 12 mm is common for seals used for official purposes such as settlement seals. Even if it's a personal seal, stamping it carries responsibility, so if possible, use a custom-made seal that only you have. It prevents impersonation and protects you from unnecessary trouble. If you store it in a desk drawer, be sure to keep it in a locked place.

Question 2

What is the best material for a seal?

Accepted Answer

★If you prioritize durability of your seal...Ivory is the best. When used frequently and for a long time, such as for a personal seal, it is much more resistant to wear (the frame and letters become thicker) than wooden seals. In the case of official seals and bank seals, due to their high durability, the engraved name part is often remade and they are passed down from generation to generation.If you prioritize the beauty of the seal itself...Dutch water buffalo is a good choice. It has a slightly transparent beige color, and each seal has its own unique color, brown pattern, and gentle gradation, making it an elegant seal material. When you place your order, we will send you images of 2-3 seals in stock so you can choose the one you want.★If you're looking for something affordable yet durable enough to last a lifetime...We recommend black buffalo. Our black buffalo seal material has a strong core, and because it is made from high-quality material that has been dyed jet black and further compressed, the surface of the seal will not become rough even after years of use.

Question 3

What size seal should I choose?

Accepted Answer

The best size will vary depending on what you're using the seal for.A "real seal" is registered at the government office and used on contracts and other documents. It is generally desirable to use the full name, so women should be 13.5 to 15 mm in diameter, and men should be 15 mm, 16.5 mm, or 18 mm in diameter.Since "bank seals" are usually made with only the family name or first name, the most common sizes are 12mm and 13.5mm.However, it is acceptable if it is more than 15 mm.The standard size of a personal seal is 10.5 mm.Some people use 12mm or 13.5mm when making payments, such as when taking on a position within the company.*Not many people use ready-made seals sold in stores as personal seals for payment.

Question 4

What does it mean to register a seal?

Accepted Answer

When you buy a car, land, house, etc., you will probably enter into a sales contract with the seller. At this time, the person signing the contract (usually the buyer) will use a registered seal (jitsuin) to verify that the person whose name is written on the document is really the person signing the contract.A registered seal is a seal that you apply for and register at your ward office or other place, stating that it will be the seal you will use, and it is used to verify that the person using the seal is the person whose name appears on the contract.Each person can only register one official seal.No matter who writes a signature, it is impossible to know whether it was actually written by the person. A registered seal is a seal that only the person has, and by registering and using it, the government office can certify that the person is the person in question. Buying a ready-made seal and registering it is a very dangerous act that could lead to impersonation.

Question 5

What types of seals can be registered as official seals?

Accepted Answer

There are currently many different types of materials for seals.Ivory, buffalo horn, wood, acrylic, and other chemical materials (multiple types)About the fontAlthough there may be no clear regulations, the following are available: seal script, seal style (Kisshoin), old seal style, clerical script, regular script, and running script.The six basic styles are as follows. Depending on the local government, a lucky seal may not be permitted, so it is best to check with the local government office first.Can I use a pen name for the name to be engraved?You can only register with the name that appears on your resident registration card.Marks, decorative lines, English letters, etc. other than the characters of the name cannot be registered.※If your name is one character long and has few strokes, like Nakajima Hajime, it will be unbalanced.You can also register Nakajima Kazutoshi with the "印" or "之印" added.★ Old characters such as 辺/邊, 浜/濱 are considered to be the same as current kanji, so you can register even if your resident card is 川辺 and your seal is 川辺.Conditions for items that cannot be registered as a seal1. Names that do not match (names different from those on the resident registration card) 2. Names that include occupations or job titles 3. Inappropriate sizes (less than 6mm, more than 25mm) 4. Materials that are easily deformed, such as rubber stamps 5. Items without borders 6. Items that the mayor deems inappropriate

Question 6

I lost my seal, but I have the original, so can I get a copy?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we cannot make copies of your seal, even if it is your own. This is the same as forging a seal, and it is safer for you to re-register a newly created seal if it is a registered seal or bank seal. If you are going to have a new one made, we recommend that you cancel the registration of the lost seal at your local government office if possible.

Question 7

I have inherited a seal that was used by my grandparents or relatives. Can I continue to use it as is?

Accepted Answer

Even if the name engraved on the seal is the same as yours, we do not recommend using it as is. Seals that have been used for many years may be worn down and will only get worse.Also, if the same seal is used by different people, unexpected problems may arise.Please engrave the name of the person who inherited the seal onto it.We offer the following seal remake services:Seal Remake (Re-engraving) | Yoshida Senjido HANKOTIMES Hanko Times Online Store | Kobe City

Question 8

I would like to have two seals with the same name and writing style. Will they end up being the same?

Accepted Answer

Each seal is engraved with a unique, individual design. Even if you order multiple seals with the same specifications, we will make sure that they are all different, so please place your order with peace of mind. If you would like to make them easier to understand, you can change the font for each seal, or separate them into vertical and horizontal writing. If you have any questions, please contact us by email.Also, please note that even if one person requests to have another seal that is exactly the same as the original seal as a spare, the design will always be different in some way.

Question 9

Please tell me about personal seals (jitsuin).

Accepted Answer

Summary of personal seals in Kobe City🏙️Regarding official seals, there are regulations・This applies to people who are registered as residents of Kobe City (people with mental capacity, 14 years of age or older). ・Only one seal can be registered per person. ・This is to ensure the reliability of identity verification using the seal registration certificate.🔎 What seals cannot be registered?The following types of seals cannot be registered: 1. Seals that do not match the name (different name from the resident registration card) 2. Seals that include an occupation or job title 3. Seals that are the wrong size (less than 6mm, more than 25mm) 4. Seals made of materials that are easily deformed, such as rubber stamps 5. Seals that have no borders 6. Seals that the mayor deems inappropriate📝 What is the registration process?・Apply to the city hall with your seal and application form. ・Your identity will be verified (by mail or in person). ・Even if you are using the adult guardianship system, you can register as long as you have the mental capacity to make decisions.📄 About Certificates and Certification Procedures・After registration, you will be issued a "Seal Registration Certificate." ・If you need a certificate, submit an application form. ・You can obtain a Seal Registration Certificate at a convenience store terminal (Your My Number Card is required).✒️ Why does this system exist?・This is a system for verifying identity. ・Since there is a risk of fraudulent use if multiple seals are used, each person is limited to one seal.✅ Requirements for a seal that can be registered as a registered seal (in the case of Kobe City)The following conditions must be met:Matches the name on the resident registration cardEither your full name or your first and last name must match the spelling on your resident registration card (e.g., "Yamada Taro," "Yamada," "Taro," etc.)SizeThe seal must be between 8mm and 25mm (6mm and 25mm in Kobe City).MaterialMaterials that are easily deformed, such as rubber stamps, are not allowed (must be made of a material that is difficult to deform)Ready-made products may not be available.In many municipalities, mass-produced, ready-made seals (such as "Sato") are likely to be the same as someone else's, and registration is refused because the identity of the person using the seal cannot be guaranteed . Even in Kobe City, officials may deem the seal inappropriate at the time of registration.There is an edgeIt is preferable to use a seal with a border around it. If there is no border, it may not be possible to register it.❌ Main reasons why pre-made personal seals are not acceptableThere are a large number of seals with the same surname in circulation, so there is a high possibility that the seal will have the same impression as someone else.Materials that are easily deformed (such as rubber) and cheap machine-engraved items are at risk of being counterfeited or copied.When registering, city officials may determine that the information is "inappropriate for identifying the individual."🔒 Recommendations for registering your official sealFor registering your official seal, we recommend the following :Custom-made "full name" sealMaterial: Highly durable materials such as black buffalo, ivory, and titaniumSeal size: 13.5mm to 15mm for womenFor men, the average size is 15mm to 16.5mm.📝 Additional Information: If you absolutely must use a pre-made sealYou will need to bring it in person to your ward office or other relevant office to check whether it can be registered.There are exceptions where permission may be granted if the document matches your resident registration and meets certain conditions such as size and material, but as a general rule, it is not recommended.

よくあるご質問