Franklin Dean
In Japan, it is customary to give money as a wedding gift. This money is presented in a special envelope called a shūgi-bukuro (or shugi-bukuro). Shūgi-bukuro are sold at supermarkets, stationery stores, convenience stores, and book stores, and they are decorated with a noshi (a lucky sign) and a mizuhiki (a ceremonial paper cord). The amount of money given depends on the giver's relationship to the celebrant, and it is common to give an amount in which the leading digit is odd, to symbolize that the newly married couple will not be divided. The giver inserts the money into the envelope and writes their name, address, and the amount of money inside. The envelope is then presented to the receptionist at the wedding reception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To give a cash gift called "Oshugi" to the bride and groom at weddings |
| Occasions | Weddings, new year, or funeral |
| Amount | ¥30,000 when attending alone, ¥50,000 when the bride/groom is a sibling, ¥50,000 when attending as a couple, and ¥100,000 when the bride/groom is a sibling |
| Amount Rules | Odd numbers are preferred as they symbolize that the couple will not split up. Amounts with leading digits that are a multiple of 4 or 9 are avoided due to their association with "death" and "suffering" in Japanese pronunciation. |
| Envelope Type | Shūgi-bukuro (祝儀袋) or Noshi Bukuro (熨斗袋) |
| Envelope Features | Decorated with a "noshi" (lucky sign) and a co: 0,6,7,12,17>mizuhiki (ceremonial paper cord in red and white, or gold and silver) |
| Envelope Contents | Money, name, address, and amount |
| Presentation | The envelope is presented inside a small silk cloth called "fukusa" or a handkerchief, with the topside facing right at the receptionist, using both hands |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing the right envelope: select a shūgi-bukuro with a noshi (lucky sign) and a mizuhiki (red and white or gold-silver cord)
- How much money to put inside: amounts should be odd numbers, like ¥10,000 or ¥30,000, to symbolise the couple won't be divided?
- Writing on the envelope: include your name, address, and the amount of money inside. Write vertically in kanji
- Placing the money: put the money in so that the face of Yukichi Fukuzawa is visible when the envelope is opened
- Presenting the envelope: wrap the envelope in a small silk cloth called fukusa and present it to the receptionist at the wedding reception
Choosing the right envelope: select a shūgi-bukuro with a noshi (lucky sign) and a mizuhiki (red and white or gold-silver cord)
Shūgi-bukuro, or Japanese wedding envelopes, are a special type of envelope used to gift money during wedding celebrations or other auspicious occasions in Japan. When choosing the right envelope, it is important to select one with a noshi and a mizuhiki cord.
A noshi is a type of ceremonial origami that serves as a gift and expresses "good wishes". It consists of white paper folded with a strip of dried abalone or meat, symbolising good fortune and longevity. The placement of the noshi on the envelope is important – it should be positioned in the upper right corner.
Mizuhiki is a decorative cord used to tie the paper that wraps around gifts. The number of strands, colour, and style of tying the mizuhiki differ according to the occasion and the purpose of the gift. For wedding celebrations, odd numbers of strands such as 3, 5, or 7 are considered auspicious, while the colours red and white, or gold and silver are used. The mizuhiki bow is also symbolic – it is used for gifts that are given repeatedly, such as baby gifts.
When selecting a shūgi-bukuro, it is important to consider the amount of money given, as this differs according to the giver's relationship to the couple, their social status, and the style of the wedding venue. For instance, friends or colleagues typically give between ¥20,000 and ¥30,000, while relatives may give up to ¥100,000. It is also common to give amounts with odd-numbered leading digits, such as ¥30,000, symbolising that the newly married couple is now indivisible.
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How much money to put inside: amounts should be odd numbers, like ¥10,000 or ¥30,000, to symbolise the couple won't be divided
When giving money as a wedding gift in Japan, it is important to follow certain customs. The money is placed inside a "goshugi-bukuro" (celebration envelope) or a "shugi-bukuro" (gift envelope). These envelopes often feature beautiful designs and decorative cords called "mizuhiki".
When deciding how much money to put inside the envelope, it is customary to give amounts where the leading digit is an odd number, such as ¥10,000 or ¥30,000. This symbolism is important as it represents the fact that the newly married couple will not be divided. It is considered unlucky to give amounts where the leading digit forms a multiple of four, such as ¥40,000, as the number four in Japanese is pronounced "shi", which is the same as the word for "death". Similarly, multiples of nine are avoided, as the pronunciation of this number, "ku", is the same as the word for "suffering".
The amount of money given can also depend on your relationship with the couple and your age. For example, if the bride or groom is your sibling, the going rate is ¥50,000. If you are attending as a married couple, it is common to give ¥50,000, whereas unmarried couples typically give separate amounts of around ¥30,000 each. If you are a student or have a low income, it is acceptable to give a smaller amount, such as ¥10,000.
When placing the money in the envelope, put the banknotes inside the inner envelope with the portrait side facing up, stacked neatly in the same direction. The amount of the gift is then written on the face of the inner envelope, along with the giver's address and name. The inner envelope is then wrapped with its face upside up, and the lower flap on top of the upper flap, symbolising that happiness will not spill out. The gift envelope is then handed to the receptionist at the wedding, not directly to the bride or groom.
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Writing on the envelope: include your name, address, and the amount of money inside. Write vertically in kanji
When using a Japanese wedding envelope, or shūgi-bukuro, it is customary to write your name, address, and the amount of money inside on the envelope. This is done to keep a record of who gave money and how much they gave. The name should be written vertically and slightly smaller than the "寿" character on top. Foreign names should be written in Katakana, with the company name on the right and the sender's name in the centre. For gifts from a couple, the names are written side by side, with the husband's name on the right and the wife's name on the left.
The amount of money inside is also written in kanji, such as '金 xxxxx 圓'. For example, writing '参萬圓' indicates 30,000 yen. It is common to give amounts where the leading digit is an odd number, such as 10,000 or 30,000 yen, symbolising that the newly married couple is now indivisible. On the other hand, amounts with leading digits that are multiples of 4 or 9, such as 40,000 or 90,000 yen, are avoided due to their association with the Japanese words for "death" and "suffering", respectively.
The shūgi-bukuro is then wrapped in a fukusa, a silk lapping cloth, before being presented to the receptionist at the wedding reception.
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Placing the money: put the money in so that the face of Yukichi Fukuzawa is visible when the envelope is opened
When preparing a shūgi-bukuro (祝儀袋), or Japanese wedding money envelope, it is important to follow certain traditions and customs. One important aspect is the placement of the money inside the envelope.
The money should be placed in a specific way so that when the envelope is opened, the face of Yukichi Fukuzawa, the person depicted on the Japanese currency, is visible. This arrangement is considered respectful and auspicious for the newlywed couple.
To achieve this, the money should be inserted into the envelope with the portrait of Yukichi Fukuzawa facing upwards. This ensures that when the envelope is opened, the recipient will see the familiar and revered face of Fukuzawa, who is known for his contributions to Japan's modernisation.
It is also customary to use new and crisp banknotes for the wedding gift, avoiding old or worn-out bills. The amount of money given depends on the giver's relationship to the couple, with married couples typically giving ¥50,000, while unmarried individuals give around ¥30,000 each.
Additionally, the number of bills given is usually an odd number, symbolising that the newly married couple will never be divided. Even amounts, such as ¥20,000, are typically given in odd-numbered bills, such as one ¥10,000 bill and two ¥5,000 bills.
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Presenting the envelope: wrap the envelope in a small silk cloth called fukusa and present it to the receptionist at the wedding reception
When presenting a Japanese wedding envelope, or shūgi-bukuro, it is customary to wrap the envelope in a small silk cloth called a fukusa. Fukusa are square or almost square pieces of lined fabric, typically made of fine silk, and may be decorated with embroidery in auspicious designs. The size of a fukusa is generally around 18 to 24 inches square, though they can range from 9 to 36 inches. The cloth is used to cover the envelope and protect it from dirt until it is given to the receptionist at the wedding reception.
The fukusa is chosen to match the occasion, with the design of the cloth often carrying deep cultural significance. For example, mandarin cranes and turtles represent longevity and good fortune, while red sea bream is considered auspicious and part of the word "medetai," which means good luck in Japanese. The choice of fukusa is considered an important part of the gift itself, signifying its formality.
It is also customary for the giver to insert the money into the shūgi-bukuro and write their name and the amount of money inside. The envelope is then closed by folding the upper part in first so that the lower part faces up. The shūgi-bukuro is then wrapped in the fukusa and presented to the receptionist at the wedding reception.
It is worth noting that the amount of money given in the envelope should be in new bills and in odd numbers. For example, ¥10,000 or ¥30,000 are common amounts, while amounts with leading digits that form a multiple of 4 or 9 are avoided as these numbers are considered unlucky in Japanese culture.
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Frequently asked questions
A Japanese wedding envelope is called a "Shūgi-bukuro" (祝儀袋), which translates to "celebratory gift bag".
Firstly, purchase a Shūgi-bukuro at a convenience store, 100 yen shop, bookstore, or stationery store. Write your name, address, and the amount of money inside on the envelope. The amount of money differs according to your relationship with the couple, your social status, and the wedding style. Then, place the money inside the envelope, ensuring that the face on the bill is right-side up. Finally, wrap the envelope in a small silk cloth called a "fukusa" to protect it from dirt until it is given at the wedding reception.
The amount of money given in a Japanese wedding envelope depends on various factors, including your relationship with the couple, your social status, and the wedding style. For example, family members typically give between 50,000 and 100,000 yen, while friends and coworkers give between 10,000 and 30,000 yen. It is common to give amounts where the leading digit forms an odd number, such as 10,000 or 30,000 yen, to symbolize that the newly married couple will not be divided. Avoid giving amounts where the leading digit forms a multiple of 4 or 9, as these numbers are associated with "death" and "suffering" in Japanese, respectively.
