Your hanko can show your name in alphabet letters, katakana or kanji. For a registered seal, the name must match your residence record exactly.
Examples
Sample image. Your proof shows the exact design.
Alphabet
- Type your name exactly as on your residence card, in capital letters.
- Leave out accents and special marks, as on your card. For example: NGUYEN VAN AN.
- We carve alphabet names in our seal-style lettering.
- Good for: people who want their name to be easy to read.
Katakana
Katakana is the Japanese script used for foreign names. For example, SMITH is スミス.
- For a registered seal, your katakana name must be recorded on your residence record (juminhyo). Type it exactly as written there.
- Not sure how to write your name in katakana? Leave a note in the order form. We suggest a spelling in your proof.
- Small letters (ッ, ャ), the long mark (ー) and the dot (・) can all be carved.
- Good for: a traditional Japanese look that Japanese staff can read easily.
Kanji
- Only if your residence card or residence record shows your name in kanji.
- We carve the Japanese form of each character, as on your residence record. For example, 劉 (Japanese form), not 刘 (simplified Chinese).
- We can carve characters that can be typed on a computer. If your name needs a rare character, contact us before you order.
- Kanji is carved in seal script (tensho), a traditional style that is hard to copy.
Full name, surname or given name?
| Choice | Example | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | NGUYEN VAN AN | Registered seal |
| Surname only | NGUYEN | Bank seal |
| Given name only | AN | Bank seal |
Initials only (like N.V.A.) cannot be registered at a city office.
Long names
Long names need a bigger seal. We split your name into lines at the spaces, and never in the middle of a word. See how many letters fit in each size
You will see an image of your seal before we carve it. Changes are free, up to 2 times. Order a Registered Seal · Order a Bank Seal