“Akita Dog Hanko,” produced by Tomoko Yoneya, a hanko (rubber stamp) artist in Katagami City, Akita Prefecture, features the soft expressions of fluffy Akita dogs. These hanko have gained popularity as souvenirs from Akita.
Akita dog hanko are available in a large size with a standing posture (1,100 yen), a small size with a straight face (770 yen), and a set of four hanko, including a floppy-eared puppy and paw prints (1,650 yen). They are sold online on the website BASE, as well as at Akita Port Roadside Station in Akita City and Chokai Mountain Wooden Toy Museum in Yurihonjo City.
Ms. Yoneya started making hanko about ten years ago. Wanting to express the charm of Akita Prefecture through hanko, she began creating designs featuring motifs like the Namahage of Oga and the Akita dialect, which naturally led to the creation of the Akita dog hanko.
The design was inspired by an Akita dog previously kept by a non-profit organization in Odate City. Captivated by its gentle expression, Ms. Yoneya made many improvements to the design, paying close attention to the dog’s body so that anyone would recognize it as an Akita dog.
Ms. Yoneya recommends randomly stamping paper to create book covers or wrapping papers. She feels a bookmark with an Akita dog hanko can soothe one’s heart when the dog’s expression peeks out from the pages.
Ms. Yoneya said, “The unique appeal of hand-pressed stamps lies in their texture, including the blurring and bleeding of the ink. I hope people enjoy the process of stamping, thinking of the person they’re giving it to.”
