{"id":5365,"date":"2025-11-09T12:14:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T03:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oh-mama.tokyo\/?p=5365"},"modified":"2026-01-06T14:07:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T05:07:06","slug":"questions-about-shodo-japanese-calligraphy-do-japanese-people-love-hanko","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oh-mama.tokyo\/?p=5365","title":{"rendered":"Questions about Shodo, Japanese Calligraphy: Do Japanese People Love Hanko?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When guests join our shodo<\/em> (Japanese calligraphy) experience, they first choose a kanji character they like. Each kanji has not only a beautiful shape but also one or more meanings.
Then, they write their names in Japanese \u2014 and finally, they add a hanko<\/em>, a red seal.
It’s optional, but honestly, everyone ends up stamping it! The touch of red ink brings life and balance to the black-and-white composition, making it look complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Final Touch \u2014 The Seal in Shodo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every shodo<\/em> artwork has a red seal called rakkan<\/em>.
Some seals show the artist\u2019s name, others a pen name, or even a favorite word.
After finishing the calligraphy, the artist presses the seal \u2014 that moment feels like saying,
\u201cNow, it\u2019s done!\u201d
The hanko<\/em> is not just decoration; it\u2019s a symbol of completion and pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan\u2019s Love for Hanko<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japanese people truly love hanko<\/em>.
Have you ever heard of a stamp rally? It\u2019s an activity where you walk around a certain area collecting stamps placed at various spots.
In Tokyo, you\u2019ll find stamp rallies almost everywhere on weekends \u2014 at train stations, shopping malls, or parks. If you collect all the stamps, you might receive a small gift such as a badge or sticker. Sometimes there\u2019s no prize at all \u2014 people simply enjoy the fun of collecting.
My eight-year-old child can\u2019t resist them! Whenever we find a stamp rally, he grabs the free sheet of paper and presses the stamp with excitement. Once you press one stamp, you can\u2019t help wanting to find the next one.
By the way, there\u2019s even something called the Japan Stamp Rally Association<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Oldest Seal in Japan \u2014 The \u201cGolden Seal\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan even has a national treasure that\u2019s a hanko<\/em>!
It\u2019s called the \u201cGolden Seal,\u201d inscribed with five Chinese characters: \u300c\u6f22\u59d4\u5974\u56fd\u738b\u300d.
This seal is made of 95% pure gold and is believed to have been presented to Japan by the ancient Chinese emperor about 2,000 years ago. It is also one of the oldest existing inscriptions found in Japan.
You can see it at the Fukuoka City Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanko<\/em> and Paper \u2014 The Office Days<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About a decade or two ago, when I worked at a city office, hanko<\/em> were everywhere. We used them for approvals, vacation requests, official documents, and contracts. Paper and seals were inseparable parts of daily work.
When I bought my house, I needed to register my personal seal \u2014 called jitsuin<\/em> \u2014 at city hall. This special seal is often custom-made from fine wood, horn, or metal, and officially registered to prove ownership. Without it, you can\u2019t sign major contracts such as for buying a home.
Even today, people still use hanko<\/em> when opening a bank account. Though a handwritten signature is fine now, many people use hanko<\/em> receiving a package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Joy of Stamping<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japanese people have long been close to hanko<\/em>. It\u2019s part of our daily life, our history, and our art.
When you complete your shodo<\/em> piece, try pressing a red seal at the end. You\u2019ll see how that single touch transforms your work into something truly special.<\/p>\n\n\n