What is a seal? Explanation of usage situations and difference from tally seal

I'm sure many of you have heard of the term ``Kiain.'' However, it seems that there are few people who can explain the specific situations in which a seal is used and how it differs from a wari-in. Therefore, in this article, we will explain what a seal is and how it differs from a wariin.

What is a seal?

A seal is a type of HANKO that indicates the validity of a contract. Below, we will explain the outline of the seal, the types of HANKO used for seals, and the timing of stamping the seal.

What is a seal?

A seal is a seal used to HANKO each page of a contract that is made up of two or more pages, or the HANKO used at that time. A seal has the effect of preventing the contract from being tampered with , preventing the replacement or removal of documents, and showing the continuity of each page of the contract to prove that it is a single copy.

The seal is stamped on the joint or binding of the contract. By stamping the contract, you can prevent fraud later and prove that the contract is genuine and not forged.

What kind of HANKO do you use for the seal?

There are no rules regarding the HANKO that can be used as a seal; any type of stamp can be used. However , if you want to use it as a contract seal, we recommend a seal that was used to sign or affix a seal on a contract, or a HANKO other than a registered seal. People tend to think that the stamp used on a contract must be a registered seal, but in fact, there is no legal problem if you use a HANKO other than a registered seal.
A registered seal is a legally valid HANKO that is registered at the municipal office of the municipality where you live. Only one registered seal can be registered per person. If the registered seal is cracked and cannot be pressed, or has worn out and changes its shape when pressed, you will need to change the registered seal. With seal seals, the HANKO is stamped on the document many times, making it easy for the HANKO to deteriorate. Registered seals are important and take time to register, so avoid using them as seals and use other HANKO instead.

Timing to stamp the seal

The seal is generally stamped after the final approval of the contract. After the parties have reached an agreement and the contents of the contract have been finalized, the contract is signed. The document becomes officially valid when the seal is affixed.

The difference between a seal and a split seal

There is another type of HANKO that is similar to a kei-in, called a wari-in. Below, we will explain the overview of wari-in and the difference between kei-in and wari-in.

What is Wari-in?

A split seal is a seal used to certify that two or more copies of a contract, such as the original and a copy, are identical, or the seal used in this case.
Contracts are often made between two or more parties. In such cases, two or more copies of the same contract must be created to prove that they are the same. This is where a split seal comes in. A split seal can be used to show that multiple contracts are consistent or related to each other.
When applying a split seal, the contracts of both parties are stacked and the HANKO is pressed across multiple pages. The HANKO impression is then split in half, creating an impression similar to that of a contract seal. By the way, a contract seal is a seal used to show that the pages are correctly connected when a contract has multiple pages, or the seal used in this case. Both split seals and contract HANKO are pressed across two pages, creating an impression similar to that of a contract seal, which is why they are easily confused.

The difference between a seal and a split seal

The differences between a seal and a warrant include the purpose of stamping the HANKO, the type of document on which the HANKO is stamped, and the HANKO used.
First, I will explain the purpose of stamping a HANKO. The purpose of a seal is to prevent fraud such as falsification or substitution of documents. The purpose of the stamp is to prevent fraud, but it also serves to show that the documents held by both parties are the same.
Next, we will explain the types of documents that can be stamped with a HANKO. A seal is a HANKO stamped on a contract, especially when the contract consists of multiple sheets. The stamp is mainly stamped on the contract, but it may also be stamped on the receipt and its copy. Also, since the stamp is stamped on documents between contracting parties, it is also used when the contract consists of one sheet.
Finally, I will explain the HANKO used. Basically, there are no rules regarding the HANKO to be used for both seals and wari seals. However, in the case of a seal, it is recommended to use the same HANKO that was used to seal the contract, or a HANKO other than the registered seal. In the case of a stamp, there is no problem with a HANKO other than the one used to stamp the contract.

Correct way to stamp the seal

The method of stamping the contract varies depending on the number and format of the contract. Below we will explain how to stamp each type of contract.

For two-page spread

For contracts with a small number of pages or contracts that are stapled in two or more places and can be opened like a book, stamp the seal across two pages. First, arrange the two adjacent pages of the contract side by side so that there is no gap in the center. Then, sign in two places, one at the top and one at the bottom, so that it spans each page. Generally, the contracting party (A) stamps the seal on the top, and the contracting party (B) stamps the seal on the bottom.
This seal will be applied to all pages. Even if it is difficult to open because it is stapled, open it fully from side to side and stamp the seal. If it is difficult to HANKO, add a piece of paper under the contract, align the height, and stamp the seal.

In case of stapling

If the contract is held together with two or more staples and opens like a book, place the seal where the edges of the pages meet.

If the contract is held together with a single staple, stamp the contract across the back of the previous page and the front of the next page. Stamp the signature seal in the center of the document with the previous page folded in half, one at the top and one at the bottom, where the back of the previous page and the front of the next page overlap. Again, Party A's contractor will sign the seal on the top, and Party B's contractor will sign the seal on the bottom.

For bag binding

If the contract is bound and bound, stamp the contract on either the front or back cover. Bookbinding or bag binding is the process of securing each page with strips of paper or binding tape to make it look like a book.
When signing a contract that is bound in a bag, place HANKO in two places, spanning the area between the binding tape and the document. At this time, the contracting party corresponding to Party A shall sign the seal on the upper part, and the contracting party corresponding to Party B shall sign the seal on the lower part.

Tips for stamping the seal neatly

Many people say, ``When stamping an important contract, you want the seal to be as clean as possible.'' Below, we will introduce some tips for stamping the seal neatly.

Use a HANKO mat/seal mat

It is effective to use a HANKO mat or stamping mat to stamp the seal neatly. A HANKO mat/seal mat is something that is placed under the document to be HANKO to make it easier to stamp the HANKO and to stamp it neatly.
HANKO mats are made of materials such as leather, leather, and rubber. By placing the HANKO mat under the document, you can apply pressure evenly to the HANKO when stamping, resulting in a beautiful stamp. A contract is an important document. If you want to stamp a beautiful seal, please use a HANKO mat/seal mat.
Also, when applying the vermilion ink, do not press the stamp surface against the vermilion ink, but tap it lightly so that the vermilion ink is evenly applied to the stamp surface, so that the stamp impression will be clean.

Eliminate differences by matching the heights of the documents to be signed

To stamp the seal neatly, it is recommended to open the bound part or adjust the height of the documents to eliminate the difference in height between the pages. Contracts that are stapled together are difficult to stamp neatly because the pages are not at the same height or the HANKO cannot be stamped flat.
In that case, open the left and right pages firmly and place paper on the side that is not high enough to eliminate the difference in height between the pages. When stamping the seal, press from directly above the HANKO with your weight, so that the impression of the seal will come out more clearly.

summary

Although a seal is not a legal requirement, it is usually affixed to the contract to prevent falsification. The correct way to stamp the contract depends on how the contract is bound, so use this article as a reference to stamp the contract correctly and proceed with your business smoothly.