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A Disappearing Hanko Seal, Made Using EDM

By Rain Noe - July 25

in Object Culture | Digital Fabrication

When I lived in Japan, everyone carried what's known as a hanko, a personal seal that serves as your signature. When filling out paperwork at the bank, for instance, the bank provides a red inkpad and you stamp your hanko to authorize the document.

The high-end hanko below is called Mirain. It's made using wire EDM, yielding this ooh-ahh effect:

This being Japan, the packaging has been carefully considered.

The manufacturer is Yamanishi-based Iwai Press Co. Here's how they make them:

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They're pretty pricey: $1,100 a pop!

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DAVE CANNON

4 months ago

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Dadgum that is cool! I want one. Can I get my name translated into Japanese and use that thing here?

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Brian Drake

4 months ago

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Everybody in shots on the shop floor should have been wearing ear protection. Still, that's amazing. If I weren't so poor, I'd like to have one.

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Alan Nomoto

4 months ago

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Very cool. Looks kind of big for a Hanko though...

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