Dialogue with one “Kazuaki Okano , Seventh-Generation Artisan, Bankodo”

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Dialogue

History and Culture

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Kawagoe,Saitama

Dialogue with one “Kazuaki Okano , Seventh-Generation Artisan, Bankodo”

In the Edo period, Kawagoe was valued as an important northern outpost supporting Edo (present-day Tokyo), and shared a close and lively relationship with the city.

Edo culture left a strong mark on Kawagoe, and even today you can still feel the spirit of that era in the Kawagoe Festival and the town’s traditional kura-zukuri streetscape.

The city is home to many artisans and merchants who continue to uphold these traditions.

By spending time with master craftspeople and those who have dedicated their lives to preserving the old ways, you can experience something far deeper than what typical sightseeing offers: a genuine connection and a lasting sense of inspiration.

Why not take a moment to talk with just one of them? You might experience a moment that truly moves you.
A single encounter could change the way you see the world.

Don’t miss the chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime connection.

The Meaning and Appeal of Hand-Carved Hanko

To me, a hanko is a tool rooted in the culture that uses it.

Like chopsticks or a rice bowl, it is an everyday tool that feels close to people’s lives. That closeness is what I believe has allowed it to endure for so long.

Some people have a hanko they received at school. Others had one made after arriving in Japan for the first time and realizing they needed one. There are also those who were given a hanko by a family member before leaving home for Tokyo.
Each one carries someone’s feelings, a memory, a connection.
When you hold a hanko and press it to paper, I hope you remember that moment. You are not just stamping a name. You are holding a part of someone’s story.

Now that seals are used less often in daily life, I feel it is even more important for each use to carry meaning.
That is the spirit I try to carry in my work every day.

Always Here as Your Local Hanko Shop

Kazuaki Okano, Seventh-Generation Artisan, Bankodo

Certified First-Class Seal Engraving Technician
Certified Monozukuri Meister (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan)

After graduating from high school, I made the decision to carry on our family business. With support from my father, the sixth-generation owner, I began a five-year apprenticeship at a seal shop in Kanagawa to develop my skills.
Even now, after returning to Bankodo, I continue to refine my craft. I train my skill each day, always working toward the beauty of the traditional characters that have been passed down over generations.
My goal is to create hanko that people enjoy using. I want each seal to offer a sense of joy and the confidence to stamp it with pride.

“A lifetime is too short to fully master even a single skill.” (a saying from the fifth-generation craftsman)

[Bankodo]

Bankodo was established in 1818, the first year of the Bunsei era, by its founder Masuzo.
The original shop opened in Doshin-cho, part of what was then the castle town of Kawagoe.
For over two centuries, we have been fortunate to receive the support of the local community. Even today, our main store continues to operate in the same location, now known as Nakacho in Kawagoe City.

Since 1990, we have also had a second location inside Atre Kawagoe, near Kawagoe Station.
Kawagoe is a historic town known for its long-standing shops and respected temples and shrines.
With deep appreciation for the traditions and relationships passed down through generations, we continue to craft personal seals with care and dedication.