If you are planning to attend a Japanese wedding, you might be wondering about a Japanese wedding envelope and how to choose one. We previously covered how to RSVP, gift money, and dress code in the articles linked below. This time, we are excited to welcome Chikako Higuchi, a manners and communication instructor, to help us understand everything about a Japanese wedding envelope.
Table of Contents
Chikako Higuchi
Expert in Etiquette and Communication;
Former Shiseido Beauty Consultant. At Shiseido, gained deep expertise in hospitality, aesthetics, and understanding customers’ needs. Moved to KidZania Tokyo, a job-experience theme park for children, to share these skills. Earned the Outstanding Supervisor Award for delivering courteous service and led staff etiquette training.
Later, trained over 20,000 people in etiquette across the country. Involved in publishing, writing columns, supervising magazine articles, and appearing in the media.
Chapter 1: What is goshugi-bukuro?
You can buy these envelopes at places like 100-yen shops, convenience stores, supermarkets, and drugstores, which makes them easy to get in a hurry. However, these locations might have a limited selection. For more elegant designs or a wider choice, check out the stationery sections in department stores or specialty stationery stores.
| English | Japanese | Katakana |
|---|---|---|
|
Japanese Wedding Envelope |
ご祝儀袋 |
goshugi-bukuro |
Chapter 2: How to choose Japanese wedding envelope?
A. Based on the Amount of Money
When choosing a goshugi-bukuro (celebration envelope), it’s important to consider a few manners. The envelope size and design often reflect the amount of money enclosed. For larger amounts, choose a bigger envelope with a more luxurious design. The paper quality also improves with the amount, becoming thicker and more elegant. Additionally, the decorative cord (mizuhiki) will be more elaborate, sometimes featuring beautiful designs like cranes or turtles, which are considered lucky symbols.
Guidelines for the Amount of Money Based on Relationship
The amount of “goshugi” (celebration money) varies based on your relationship with the recipient. Generally, the closer the relationship, the more money you give. This also applies when someone in a higher position gives money to someone in a lower position.
For weddings, the amount often ranges from 30,000 yen to 50,000 yen. These odd numbers are used because the bride and groom are a pair, so amounts should not be divisible by 2. However, 100,000 yen is also common for close relationships, as it is a round number.
For friends or colleagues, giving 30,000 yen is typical. For a boss, amounts range from 30,000 yen to 50,000 yen, depending on the giver’s age and position. For relatives, 30,000 yen is usual, but close relatives like siblings or uncles and aunts might receive between 50,000 yen and 100,000 yen.
| RELATIONSHIPS WITH BRIDE AND GROOM | AVERAGE |
|---|---|
|
Friends |
30,000 yen |
|
Colleague |
30,000 yen |
|
Relatives |
30,000 - 100,000 yen |
B. Based on the shape of Mizuhiki
When choosing a goshugi-bukuro (celebration envelope), it’s important to consider the shape of the mizuhiki (decorative cord). The shape of the mizuhiki carries specific meanings and should be chosen according to the type of celebration.
What is Mizuhiki?
Firstly, Mizuhiki is a decorative cord used on celebration envelopes and gifts. It appears in both festive and somber events, like funerals.
Mizuhiki represents sealing, protection from misfortune, and the strengthening of relationships. Unlike Western ribbons or wrappings that are easily untied, mizuhiki knots are tied in complex ways to signify a lasting and meaningful connection.
Types of Mizuhiki
1. Colour of Mizuhiki
Here are some representative types of mizuhiki:
| Colour | Events |
|---|---|
|
Red and White |
Used for general celebrations. It is also used for get-well wishes. |
|
Gold and Silver |
Used for special occasions such as engagement ceremonies, weddings, and milestone birthdays. It is also used for general celebrations like prize money. |
|
Gold and Red |
Used for Japanese religious ceremonies and New Year decorations. |
|
Black and White |
Used for funerals and memorial services for the deceased. |
|
Silver and Silver |
Used for funerals and mourning events, especially for large amounts of money. |
|
Yellow and White or Blue and White |
Used for offerings, particularly in areas where black is avoided. |
Additionally, there are simpler options where the mizuhiki design is printed directly onto the envelope. These are less formal and might not be suitable for more important ceremonies.
2. Types of Mizuhiki Knots
It’s helpful to know the different knots used in celebration envelopes and their meanings:
Butterfly Knot (Chou-musubi): This knot looks like a butterfly and can be easily untied and retied. It is used for events where repeated celebrations are expected, such as births, prize money, and seasonal gifts like Ochugen (mid-year presents) and Oseibo (year-end presents).
Tight Knot (Musubi-kiri) and Awaji Knot: These knots are tied with loops at the ends and are difficult to untie once tied. They signify “one-time only” celebrations because they represent a permanent connection. The Awaji knot, which also forms loops, carries the same meaning. Use these knots for weddings to symbolize a strong bond and for funerals or get-well wishes to indicate that the event should not be repeated.
Plum Blossom Knot (Ume-musubi): This knot resembles a plum blossom and is used for weddings, as well as for births and new home celebrations. Plum blossoms are seen as symbols of good fortune and protection against misfortune.
3. Number of Mizuhiki Strands
For celebrations, the number of mizuhiki strands is typically an odd number, as odd numbers are considered auspicious. Commonly, five or seven strands are used, and for weddings, ten strands (which is five doubled) are preferred. For funerals or other somber occasions, four strands are used.
However, it’s not necessary to remember these details precisely. Pre-prepared celebration envelopes with the appropriate number of mizuhiki strands for the occasion are readily available, so there’s no need to worry.
4. Suitable Mizuhiki for Weddings
For weddings, the most basic mizuhiki includes:
- Colors: Red and white or gold and silver
- Knot Types: Tight knot, Awaji knot, or Plum blossom knot
- Number of Strands: 10
This represents a very classic design. If you are attending a wedding for a friend or colleague, you can find many stylish and modern designs available. Enjoy exploring and choosing one that suits the occasion at the store.
5. Mizuhiki to Avoid for Weddings
When selecting a Japanese wedding envelope, avoid these mizuhiki designs:
Butterfly Knot (Chou-musubi): This knot can be easily untied and is used for events where repeated celebrations are welcomed, like births or seasonal gifts. For weddings, which are a once-in-a-lifetime event, this knot is considered unsuitable.
Colors: Avoid envelopes with black and white, black and silver, yellow and white, silver and silver, blue and white, or white and white colors. These color combinations are associated with funerals and mourning.
C. Based on the design and material
Some wedding envelopes feature a “noshi” decoration in the top right corner. This can be a long hexagonal ornament or the word “noshi” printed on the envelope. This tradition comes from attaching dried abalone, known as “noshi abalone,” to gifts. People believed abalone brought good luck and offered it to deities.
You don’t need to choose an envelope with this decoration, but understanding its meaning as a symbol of good fortune can be helpful.
Today, wedding envelopes come in many styles and materials. You can find elegant, traditional Japanese, or Western designs. Consider the occasion, season, and recipient’s preferences. For a spring wedding with a young couple, choose envelopes with pink colors and cherry blossom designs. Cherry blossoms symbolize “new beginnings” and “prosperity.”
D. Based on the relationhip
For business relationships, such as with a company senior, avoid envelopes with strong personal styles. Opt for formal and simple designs.
For close relatives, like uncles and aunts, who give large amounts of money, classic and luxurious envelopes are recommended. Choose one with gold and silver decorations and a slightly larger size.
For friends, envelopes with character designs, cute motifs, or unique styles are acceptable.
Chapter 3: How to Place Money in a Japanese Wedding Envelope?
When placing money in a wedding envelope, put the bills in the inner envelope with the portrait side facing up. Fold the outer envelope so that the bottom flap overlaps the top flap, symbolizing good fortune. This step is crucial and can be easily mistaken, so double-check how the envelope should be folded based on its design.
If you cannot attend the wedding but want to send a gift, you can mail the wedding envelope with the money inside. Use a “cash registered envelope / 現金書留封筒(genkin kakitome futou.)” available at the post office and complete the procedure at the post office counter.
Even in this case, choose the wedding envelope in the same manner as you would if attending in person.
Chapter4: How to Write on a Wedding Envelope?
A wedding envelope consists of two parts: the outer envelope and the inner envelope.
On the outer envelope, write the purpose of the gift and the sender’s name. The purpose of the gift is written at the top center of the envelope, and this is known as the “omotegaki.” For weddings, it is customary to write “寿” (Kotobuki), which means “celebrating a happy occasion.” Write the sender’s name at the bottom center of the envelope.
On the inner envelope, write the amount of the gift, along with the sender’s address and name. Sometimes, only the amount is written, and the address and name may be omitted.
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A. Choosing a brush for Writing
Writing on a wedding envelope is traditionally done with a brush. It is customary to use a deep black ink for the characters, and ballpoint pens or markers are not used.
If you are not confident in your handwriting, there’s no need to worry. Many modern wedding envelopes come with pre-printed label stickers for the purpose of writing.
B. How to Write Names
Write the sender’s name in the center of the lower part of the outer envelope. Make sure the name is a little smaller than the characters for the purpose, like “寿” (congratulations). Foreign names should be written in Katakana and arranged vertically.
In a business setting, write both the company name and the sender’s name. Place the sender’s name in the center and the company name to the right in slightly smaller characters.
For gifts from a couple, write the names side by side. Put the husband’s name on the right and the wife’s name on the left. Omitting the wife’s surname is fine.
You can list up to three names for a joint gift. Write the name of the senior person on the right.
For more than three people, use “〇〇一同” (all of us from [company or department]). For example, write “株式会社〇〇 営業部一同” (All of us from XYZ Corporation, Sales Department). Alternatively, write the name of one representative with “他一同” (and others) to the left.
Chapte5: Recommended Product from belongingJAPAN
Here are some recommended envelopes for Japanese weddings. Enjoy choosing and exploring Japanese culture.
Chapte6: Summary
A Japanese wedding envelope expresses your feelings of celebration. Every detail—such as the “noshi” decoration, the Mizuhiki, the calligraphy, and the beautiful design—carries your wishes for happiness.
While there are specific manners for choosing and writing, the most important thing is to convey your heartfelt congratulations.
Prepare with care and present it with sincerity.
