A name seal is part of Japan's culture and a necessary item
In Japan,order to rent an apartment,enter school oropen a bank account,a name seal is necessary. That being so,we shall introduce a great way for foreigners to make a name seal.
There are many types of name seals
The most popular type is called thegsanmonban". It is an inexpensive ready-made seal and is sold in stationery stores.
In general,for those with commom names,a seal with that name will be sold. However,in the case of entering a formal contract,a ready-made seal cannot be used.
As well,ready-made seals with foreign names are not sold.
There is one other type of name seal used for formal contracts and it is called agjituin"formal seal. A formal seal is usually individually made so that another person cannot easily copy it. For foreigners,since they cannot obtain a ready-made seal,it is necessary to have a formal seal made.
A seal that can be used with confidence by foreigners
A foreigner's name seal can be made with Chinese characters,Katakana or Romanletters.
In addition, one can choose to use one's first name,surname or both names. For example,for the name Wyatt Earp,one could choose either gWyatt"or"gEarp"orgWyatt Earp". When ordering a seal,the seal maker may not know how to pronounce your name,so if you are not confident of your Japanese abikity,please order through a Japanese friend to in sure the proper spelling of your name.
Yamanashi is well-known for making name seals
Since formal seals are necessary in order to enter into a formal contract,seals are an important matter for Japanese people.For that reason alone,a seal is considered to be a valuable,and people are cautious when they purchase them.
Yamanashi is famous as a production center of name seals.
If you have a name seal made in Yamanashi,it will likely become a life-long treasure.They are also great to give as a souvenir to friends.
Types of name seal
Materials and Prices
| | BOXWOOD | BLACK WATER
BUFFALO'S HORN | HOLLAND WATER
BUFFALO'S HORN
WITH MARKING | HOLLAND WATER
BUFFALO'S HORN
NO MARKING | IVORY |
12o diameter
round | 3,500
i | 3,900
j | 4,800
k | 7,000
l | 10,000
m |
15o diameter
round | 4,000
n | 4,500
o | 6,500
p | 9,500
q | 13,500
r |
The length of a name seal is 60o.The MOMI-case shown in the photo below is included.
Color of case
1)CHINESE BROWN 2)AMBER 3)PALE PINK 4)VERMILION 5)MADDER 6)LOBSTER BROWN
7)COCOA 8)ULTRAMARINE 9)DARK BLUE 10)GREENISH BROWN 11)OLIVE GREEN 12)BLACK
13)SALMON 14)PINK 15)SAX BLUE 16)SKY BLUE 17)WHITE 18)SILVERY GREY
19)BEIGE 20)CREAM 21)TEA GREEN 22)LEMON 23)FRESH GREEN 24)TURQUOISE BLUE
How to order
@A type of name seal you chose from the table above(Please use signs ` to h.)
AA material and price you chose from the table above(Please use signs i to r.)
BA color of case you chose from the table above(Please use numbers 1 to 24.)
CYour name
DYour name in Chinese characters or Katakana(if you order A`F)
EYour address
Fphone number
Tell us these 7 items by mail,FAX or e-mail,please.
Your order will be dispatched within the next 2weeks.If you need it right away,please tell us about it.We will follow your order as long as we can.
We will send it C.O.D. Please pay cash on delivery.
Postage cost 500yen per order.
RYiZ^[ 400-15@RLx
Yamanashi Prefecture Special Products Center
400-15 Toyotomi Village,Yamanashi
TEL 0552-37-0044 FAX 0552-32-8642 e-mail address aureole@yin.or.jp
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