Seal Vintage - 日本製ヴィンテージ木製印鑑220個

Rare Collection of 220 Vintage Japanese Wooden Hanko Name Seals
希少 日本製 ヴィンテージ木製印鑑 220個 コレクション
Large Collection of 220 Vintage Japanese Wooden Name Seals (Hanko / Inkan)

This is an exceptional and expanded lot of 220 vintage Japanese wooden name seals, significantly larger than the standard 100-piece sets commonly offered. Such a volume makes this collection particularly attractive for collectors, researchers, designers, educators, or cultural institutions seeking a comprehensive representation of Japanese personal seals.

In Japan, the hanko (inkan) is far more than a simple stamp. It is an essential element of daily life and social systems, traditionally used for official documents, contracts, banking, and personal identification. For centuries, a name seal has functioned as an extension of one’s identity, carrying both legal authority and cultural meaning.

Japan is known for its extraordinary diversity of family names, with over 20,000 distinct surnames recorded nationwide. These seals reflect that diversity, each carved with different Japanese characters, offering a fascinating cross-section of names that illustrate regional history, lineage, and linguistic variation. Together, this collection embodies the richness and complexity of Japanese naming culture.

Each seal is made of wood, featuring a smooth oval form that fits comfortably in the hand. The surfaces show natural aging, patina, and subtle variations developed over time, giving each piece its own character and authenticity. The engraved characters display traditional craftsmanship and provide strong visual appeal, even for those unable to read Japanese.

This lot is ideal not only as a collectible but also as:

Study material for Japanese language and onomastics (name studies)

Props or references for art, design, and typography projects

Display items illustrating traditional Japanese daily life

A unique bulk acquisition for dealers or resellers

A rare opportunity to acquire a large-scale, culturally significant collection that vividly represents the role of name seals in Japanese society.

■ important notice - please read before bidding

do not bid if you do not intend to complete the purchase and make payment.
we do not ship knives to the united kingdom due to uk law.
we do not ship to the united states or canada.
bids that violate these conditions will be cancelled.

● important notice regarding payment
do not bid if you do not intend to complete the purchase and make payment.
please place a bid only if you fully intend to complete the purchase and make payment.
non-paying bidders cause serious inconvenience and delays.
if payment is not completed after multiple reminders from catawiki,
the order may be cancelled and handled strictly in accordance with catawiki’s policies, without exception.

● shipping restrictions - knives
due to uk law and import regulations, we do not ship knives to the united kingdom.
knife imports are legally restricted in the uk and shipment is not permitted.

we also do not ship knives to certain other countries due to local regulations.
please check your country’s import laws before bidding.
bids placed in violation of these restrictions will be cancelled.

● important notice for buyers in italy
due to persistent delays with the italian postal service and customs,
delivery to italy may take one month or longer.
please bid only if you fully understand and accept this extended delivery time.

once the item has been shipped, all delays are completely beyond the seller’s control.
no complaints, claims, or cancellation requests will be accepted due to slow delivery after shipment.

● important shipping restrictions
united states: we do not ship to the united states.
bids from the us will be cancelled.

canada: due to the ongoing canada post strike, we do not ship to canada.

please do not place a bid if your shipping address is in any of the above countries.

● no combined shipping
this lot cannot be combined with other items.
even if you purchase multiple items from the same seller in this auction, each item will be shipped separately.

● shipping method and delivery time
this item will be shipped exclusively via japan post and carefully packaged.
estimated delivery time is approximately 3?4 weeks, depending on the destination country and customs procedures.
delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

● customs, import duties, and taxes
import duties, vat, taxes, and any additional charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
all such charges are strictly the buyer’s responsibility.
the seller will not undervalue items or mark them as gifts under any circumstances.

● customs contact and returned parcels
customs authorities or local delivery companies may contact you by phone or email for clearance.
you are solely responsible for responding promptly.

if the parcel is returned due to non-response or refusal,
reshipping will require payment of double the original shipping cost.

by placing a bid, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to all of the above conditions.