With a rich culture, history and several ancient legends, there are plenty of superstitions to be aware of when giving gifts in Japan. Whether you need to send gifts to Japan to thank a host or want to send a gift basket to a business partner, there are things you need to know.
Numbers, colors and even printed animals can all accidentally offend someone if you don’t know what they mean. Below is a quick guide to help you find the perfect gift for every occasions.
Numbers to Avoid
If you have to send a gift never involve the numbers 4, 9 and 43 (e.g. don’t send four pieces of cake).
- FOUR: 4 (四、し、shi) can sound like the word death(死、し、 shi)
- NINE: 9 (九、く、ku) can sound like suffering(苦、く、ku)
- FOURTYTHREE: if it’s for a baby shower, 43 (四三、しさん、shisan) is similar to stillbirth(死産、しざん, shizan).
To be on the save side, better avoid anything that has a “4” or “9” in it. 😉
Animals to Incorporate Into the Gift
Now that you know what numbers to avoid, there are some things you can use to help add more meaning to your gift by using specific animals on the wrapping paper or on the actual gift itself.
- Butterfliescan mean joy and longevity.
- Carpcan mean good fortune and faithfulness.
- Cranesare perfect for weddings since they mean longevity and good fortune.
- Swallowsor a swallow’s tail can represent good luck.
- Turtlescan mean longevity making them ideal for baby showers.
Be Careful With Colors
Although you may write with black ink in your own country, when signing a gift card in Japan, you may want to change your pen. Colors have a lot of meaning and are something to be cautious of. Same goes for the color of the gift wrapping. Here is a quick guide on what you may or may not use color wise.
- Redis used on tombstones. Do not use it for signing cards. Also, don’t send red Christmas cards as funeral notices are red in Japan. Red and white gift wrapping is good for weddings, though.
- Blackcan mean death or bad luck. Black combined with red expresses sexuality, so try to avoid it.
- Greencan mean eternity and good luck. It is perfect for almost any gift card.
- Whitecan mean holiness. If the card is a solid color, white ink can be perfect for a baby shower.
- Purplecan mean celebrations and decadence. It is a great color for a festive holiday.
Etiquette for Gift Giving in Japan
The exchange of gifts is a central part of business etiquette and of Japanese culture in general. Whether it is for your boss, coworkers or friends, there are a few things you should know.
When to Give a Gift?
There are many occasions when you’re expected to give a gift in Japan.
You’ve probably heard about the “giri choco” on Valentine’s Day. There’s the typical “omiyage” (お土産) that you’re supposed to bring back from your trip. Gifts are also exchanged towards the end of the year (oseibo, お歳暮) to express indebtedness and midyear (ochugen, お中元) to show one’s gratitude. These kind of presents are exchanged among teachers, students, coworkers and business partners. You are expected to reciprocate if someone gives you one.
If you’re invited to somebody’s home, you always should bring a little present with you (e.g. cake, cookies or flowers).
And of course, there are the typical occasions we have in other countries as well such as Christmas, birthdays, weddings etc.
Giving and Receiving
Carry the gift in a normal shopping bag, so nobody will know immediately that you bring a present.
When handing it over, do it with both hands (also when receiving it). If it is for an individual, you need to do it in private and you want to give it to the person towards the end of your visit, not in the beginning like in the USA.
It’s very common to present a gift with the words “Tsumaranai mono desu ga …” (つまらないものですが・・・, lit.: It’s something boring, but please accept it …). It just shows that the relationship is more important than the present itself.
If you receive a present, don’t open it right away. Do it later when you’re alone, so you don’t have to worry about how to react if you don’t like it.
Also, it’s polite if you reject the present humbly once or twice. But don’t overdo it!
Always wrap a present beautifully. Let the shop do it where you purchased it.
The presentation and meaning of the gift are more important than the gift itself so make sure there is thought behind it.
Most of these rules don’t apply when you give a present to a (close) friend or family member of yours. It’s a much more casual situation after all.
What Kind of Gifts are Best?
If you visit a Japanese company, your host family or meet with Japanese business partners, this question always pops up.
Food (especially sweets like cake, cookies etc.) from your region are very welcome. For women flowers can be nice, but avoid white flowers, lotus blossoms, lilies and camellias since they are associated with funerals. Also, potted plants are associated with sickness, so better look for something else.
High-quality alcohol or pens as well as business-card holders are also a nice idea. For business gifts it can be on the expensive side, but never have your own company’s logo on it!
If you’re visiting your host family, then anything that’s typical for your region / country (especially if it’s edible) is the best choice.
With thousands of years of culture, history and superstition, Japan is a country where things may mean more than you think. That’s why it is important to know about the dos and don’ts of Japanese gift giving. By using the guide above you should be able to find a perfect gift for any occasion – and hand it over without any faux-pas.
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