Kamakura: A 4th-Gen Master Carves Your Own Name Seal (Hanko)

・Learn the history of the hanko in English — and why a personal seal still represents identity in Japan ・Watch a nationally certified First-Grade seal engraver at work, up close at his own bench ・See the traditional tools of the trade and learn how each one is used — the craft, not just the finished piece ・Discover how your name can be written in Japanese, and choose the characters for your own seal ・Not a craft class. A personal commission from a working atelier A craftsman carves your seal — you watch it take shape. Curious how your name looks in Japanese? We’ll show you several ways it can be written, then design and engrave an original seal just for you. In Japan, personal seals have long been used in place of signatures on important documents and remain closely tied to personal identity. Everything is explained in English, directly by the engraver at his workbench — including the tools he uses and the purpose of each one. Your finished seal will be ready later that afternoon.