Do you know what a hanko is?
In Japan, we still use a signature stamp / name seal in everyday life. These are commonly known as hanko.
For example, if we are receiving parcels/packages, we would use our hanko to stamp on the receipt.
You can sign too but commonly we use our hanko.
If you live in Japan, you will find it fairly useful to have one. It makes a cute souvenir too!
So where do you get one?
If you have a common japanese name, you can find cheap ones in stationery stores or even Daiso!
If you do not [eg, if you have a non japanese name or a non common japanese name like yumeko XD] you will need to find a store that would carve it for you.
Typically they cost around 2000yen and up [esp if you order it online and need to buy shipping etc]
But what if you didnt want to spend too much? And you wanted it immediately?
Well this weekend, i discovered the automatic hanko carving vending machine!!!
These are the materials available for purchase
You can choose the design/orientation of your hanko
You can use hiragana,katakana or even english alphabets.
After selecting the design of your hanko, you will need to choose and pay for the type of handle you want. The prices vary according to the quality of the handle.
I chose a 13.5mm [quite large, typically a 10.5mm will do] natural wood handle [1,500yen]
Insert the handle into the carver
After 15 – 20mins, the carving is done and you have your own personal hanko!
I spotted this machine in Saitama on my way home from my roadtrip over the weekend.
However i am certain there are several in Tokyo. A quick search online showed that many Seiyu stores have them.
http://www.seiyu.co.jp/
Let me know if you try this out!
XOXO Yumeko
yay! i’m getting one this april. thanks for sharing.
no problems! i found it super interesting XD glad someone else does too
that is so cool! I totally want to get one done now. next trip!
oooh we can go together, end of the year!
Thanks for posting this! I need one now that I’m here and there is a seiyu close by!! Woohoo! hubby also said he saw a machine once at ドンキホーテ
u should go get one!
Bwahahaha omg this is amazing. Japanese people really think of everything!
I have a marble dragon seal somewhere but I have no idea where I put it…I don’t ever use it! If you use it to sign for stuff do you have to carry a tiny ink pad as well?!
ah the cases designed for these that u can buy [like anywhere even daiso] come with a tiny ink pad
or u can buy one of those cases that dispenses it like a ballpoint pen [with the ink pad pressing on it when its capped]
That’s really convenient, I am getting one as well (just with the first character of my given name) but it’s carved on a piece of carnelian instead…Chinese usually do it it precious (or semi-precious) but they don’t use it everyday, just on things like calligraphy/painting. I
AHHH! that is so nifty! even though i don’t really have a use for them, they’re almost like a novelty! maybe if I go to Japan one day I can get them as a souvenir
thanks for sharing!
I have my own hanko! We went to a store and I got to pick out a handle and the characters/orientation.. love it
actually, I have two different ones, one with “se ra” and one with “Izumi” which I prefer.. I need to dig them up again.. but that’s awesome that there’s a vending machine for that!
So cool! I’d love to have one, I’m forever signing stuff!