A long-established Hanko store "Ota Inbo" in Hirosaki City (Watoku Hirosaki City) is currently holding a Thanksgiving Day commemorating the 120th anniversary of its founding.

The store was founded in 1895. The first store owner, Tetsuji Ota, said he chose the Hanko store as a work that he could sit down because he was sick and had a bad leg. At that time, the demand for stamps was said to have increased due to the initiation of the seal registration certification system by the proclamation of the Prime Minister. Shortly after opening, the store moved to its current location. "I wanted to see Mt. Iwaki while my grandfather was sitting down," says Hideo Ota, the third generation, who explains the reason for the move. At present, I cannot see Mt. Iwaki from the store.

Hideho says that at the age of 20, his father suddenly died and he decided to return from his training destination in Niigata and take over the store. “Soon after I succeeded, I was thrown at the stamps I delivered. There were many customers who were discerning and the quality of their predecessors was high,” he recalls. I was regrettable and continued to study by myself.

In 1988 (Showa 63), we received the gold medal from the Tohoku area for the first national seal technology competition. He has received awards such as the Bronze Award at the National First-Class Technician Skill Grand Prix and the Silver Award at the Tokyo Seal Technology Competition, and he humbly says that "I have been supported by customers."

At the time of the successor to the same store, there were 30 Hanko stores in the city, but now it has decreased to 6 stores. Hideho says that the charm of Hanko is "the only thing that is hand-carved one by one after knowing the person's individuality." "I want to make stamps for the rest of my life," he says.

20th Thanksgiving will sell a 20% discount on a set of three ivory seals and a Tsugaru-nuri seal set with a maximum discount of 15%. Business hours are weekdays = 8:30 to 19:00, Saturdays = 8:30 to 18:00, Sundays and holidays = 9:30 to 17:00. Until March 7th.