A Tokyo temple held a “memorial service” Monday for around 50 “hanko” seals that companies have discarded as part of their move toward telework and administrative digitalization.
The chief priest of the temple in Shinjuku Ward chanted sutras over traditional company and employee seals, brought by three companies including Sakura Internet Inc.
In Japan, there is a custom to hold “memorial services” for tools and other items that have been used for a long time, ranging from needles, scissors, dolls, and even “AIBO” humanoid dogs, to express their owners’ sense of appreciation, rather than simply discarding them.
The discarding of the seals came as digitalization among companies grows with the novel coronavirus pandemic underlining its practical benefits. The drive is also being supported by the Japanese government and local authorities.
I – Word Understanding
Memorial Service vs. Funeral Service
Memorial service – a service held to memorialize a deceased person but the body is not present.
Funeral service – a service done before burial of the body; the body is present
II – Have Your Say
1, What are the circumstances where hanko is needed? How many hankos does a person need?
2, Where and how do you get your hanko?
3, Seen as hindering efforts to maintain social distancing amid this Covid-19 crisis, the government wants to stop the use of hanko for administrative documents. Are you in favor of this? What would be the effect if Japan stops using hanko?
4, Please explain Japan’s custom of holding a memorial service for tools and other items before discarding them. Do you observe this custom?
774 ‘Memorial’ held at Tokyo temple for hanko seals discarded due to digitalization
