The Hanko and the Ringi-sho: The Sword and Shield of the Japanese Business Person (Part 2)

Earlier this month we talked about the the ringo-sho, the document that is used to guarantee the implimentation of a new policy or change in a department or company. Although the hanko doesn't carry as much cultural baggage as the ringi-sho, it is a key-tool in Japanese business, (and in life, for that matter), and is often a mystery to Western business people.

The hanko is basically a name stamp. It is small, usually about the size of a average pinky finger, but valuable and important.

As a matter of fact, every adult has a hanko, and they essentially act as the Japanese version of ths signature. (Those too young to have hanko just use a fingerprint.) Hanko are used on all official documents, when paying bills, accepting packages, or making deposits at the bank. Anyplace an American would sign her name, or initialize, is hanko-appropriate.

Like we hear about how Japanese take care with their business cards, and hanko can carry a certain level of prestige, as well. Usually they are kept in some sort of case with red ink for stamping. More fancy hanko are self-inking and can come in expensive leather cases.

What appears on the hanko is the owners last name. Common last name hanko can be purchased relatively cheaply, but these won't have a unique, signature-like quality.

Foriegners are usually not expected to have a hanko, but if you plan on living in Japan for any period of time, it will put people you have to work with (bankers, mail carriers, etc.) at ease.
Hanko are also used for the ringi-sho, and if you are living in Japan and working for a Japanese company, you will really want to make your vote count by having a hanko. They can be made at specialized hanko shops, and even customized hanko aren't too expensive.

As you can probably guess, the larger the hanko the more important the seal. The president of a company may sign an important contract with his hanko, and then the "company seal", a larger hanko with the company's name in kanji. Fans of famous traditional painters and calligraphers might notice the artists hanko increasing in size with his popularity (and the price of his works).

Below are some pictures of typical hanko and the seals they make. Notice, the kanji usually is a little hard to read, as it should artistically fill the square or round shape it takes.