What Is a Hanko Stamp? Hanko, Inkan, and Japanese Seals

A Hanko is a physical stamp carved with a personal or organizational mark. The impression left on paper is used in situations where another country might expect a signature. Usage ranges from routine acknowledgment to formal registration, and the required seal depends on the transaction.

Hanko versus inkan

The words overlap in everyday English explanations. A useful distinction is that hanko often refers to the stamp object, while inkan can refer to the seal or its registered impression. Real usage varies, so context matters more than treating the words as perfect technical opposites.

Common categories of seals

Official guidance distinguishes several practical roles:

• A registered seal (jitsuin) is registered with a local authority and used with a certificate for important transactions.
• A bank seal (ginkō-in) is kept for procedures associated with a bank account.
• An everyday seal (mitome-in) may be used for routine acknowledgment where a registered seal is not required.
• A workplace may also use seals tied to approval or organizational roles.

Do not reuse these labels as if any decorative image automatically gains the corresponding legal status. Registration, custody, and the receiving institution’s rules matter.

What appears on a Hanko

A seal may contain a surname, given name, organization name, or another approved arrangement. Kanji is traditional, but Kana can be used in suitable contexts. The characters are fitted into a circle or square so the composition reads as one compact mark.

Good visual balance requires more than placing characters at fixed coordinates. The glyphs should be centered by their actual visible bounds and scaled to a safe area inside the border. This is especially important for Katakana such as サラ, whose top and bottom strokes otherwise appear uneven.

Can a foreign name be used?

A non-Japanese name can be represented phonetically in Katakana for a decorative seal. Sarah becomes サラ. Because a seal has limited space, a shorter form may be more legible than a full multi-part name.

Use the Japanese Name Converter to check the Katakana first, then open the Hanko Stamp Generator to create a round or square design. The generator centers one to four characters, offers red, black, or a custom color, and exports PNG or SVG.

Decorative generator versus official seal

An online generator creates artwork. It does not register a seal, verify identity, create a bank credential, or guarantee acceptance by a Japanese authority or company. For a legal or financial transaction, ask the receiving organization exactly what form of signature or seal it accepts and obtain a professionally made seal when required.

Design tips

1. Use one to four clear characters.
2. Prefer an established name spelling.
3. Keep generous space between the glyphs and border.
4. Test both circular and square layouts.
5. Export at sufficient resolution for the intended decorative use.

The traditional visual idea can inspire a personal graphic, logo concept, or craft project while remaining clearly separate from an official identity instrument.