noun
officially registered seal
A personal seal (hanko) that has been registered with a local government office. It is used for important legal documents such as real estate purchases, marriage registrations, and loan agreements. Contrasts with 認印 (mitome-in), an unregistered seal used for everyday purposes.
不動産の契約には実印が必要です。
A registered seal is required for real estate contracts.
実印を押す前に、内容をよく確認してください。
Please check the contents carefully before affixing your registered seal.
Compound of 実 (jitsu, 'real' or 'actual') and 印 (in, 'seal' or 'stamp'), literally meaning 'real seal'. The term reflects its official status as a legally registered seal.