Understand the Meaning of Gifts in Japan

Japan has a rich culture, full of ancient stories and legends and many superstitions. One of the Japanese customs is to give gifts (omiyage) on various occasions such as visiting a friend, thanking them, and many others. Since many Japanese people are superstitious, we wrote a guide for you to understand the meaning of things in gifts and what you should avoid when gifting a Japanese person.

Gifts with numbers

Japanese people tend to be afraid of certain numbers. So much so that some buildings do not have elevators with certain numbers. Avoid any gift that has the numbers 4, 9, and 43. Here’s why:

• Four – 4 – 四 – Its pronunciation SHI can sound like the word death (死) which is also shi;
• Nine – 9 – 九 – The pronunciation KU can sound like suffering, pain (苦) and also something dark (black – kuro);
• 43 – The pronunciation shisan is similar to the birth of the dead shizan (死産);

Other suggestive numbers are 42 which indicates even death (死に – shini). 49 which sounds like to run over (敷く – shiku). The number 7 is often considered a lucky number, due to religious traditions in Buddhism. It is worth remembering that this superstition seems to be less important nowadays, but it is still good to avoid.

Japanese gifts with animals

Japanese people like cute things. So sometimes you intend to give a stuffed animal or anything with an animal, see the meanings of the animals in gifts:

• Butterflies can signify joy and longevity, but can also indicate the souls of the living and the dead;
• The carp can signify good fortune and fidelity;
• The herons are perfect for weddings, as they signify longevity and good luck;
• The swallows or the tail of a swallow can represent good luck;
• The turtles can signify longevity, making them ideal for babies;

Meaning of colors in Japanese gifts

Colors have strong meanings in Japan, avoid even writing with a black pen on a gift card. Black means death or bad luck. If you combine black with red you are indicating sexuality. The red is used on tombstones. Do not use the color red when signing cards, even avoid red Christmas cards, because funeral notices in Japan are red. However, gifts with a red ribbon wrapped in white are good for weddings. These are the 2 colors you should avoid!

The good colors are green which means eternity and good luck. Perfect to use on any gift card. White means holiness and purple means celebrations and decadence, great for holidays. These 3 colors are perfect for signing gift cards and wrapping them.

Orange symbolizes happiness and love. Yellow symbolizes courage, beauty and refinement, aristocracy and joy. Blue is a soft color that represents everyday life, purity, and cleanliness. It is also considered a feminine color.

Other gifts you should avoid

Lilies, lotus flowers, and camellias are associated with funerals. White flowers of any kind should be avoided. There is also a superstition that potted plants encourage diseases. See more meanings of flowers by clicking here.

Avoid things like scissors or knives because they can imply a cut in relationship or friendship with them. You don’t want to cut your friendship, do you? The mirror should also be avoided because it can suggest breakage and rupture. If you are dating, even worse! The comb which is pronounced kushi combines 2 detestable words we have seen in this article, death and suffering. Watches should also be avoided because they can indicate that time is up.

Do not give the same gifts to unequal individuals. Social class is important and prominent in Japan. If you give a bottle of wine to a businessman, do not give the same to the boss.

Final tips for gifting someone

Always bring gifts from your region or abroad, the Japanese like that, it can even be food. Remember to keep the gift hidden, give it when you are alone and using both hands. The best moment is at the end of your visit! Remembering that gifts are usually opened in private.

Other interesting products you can give are imported bouquets, cognac, bourbon, and high-quality wines. Buy something that reflects the interests and tastes of the recipient. Gifts in pairs are considered lucky.

Styles and techniques of wrapping gifts can have meanings. Pleating symbolizes joy. Combined colors like yin and yang signify interconnected and interdependent forces of the natural world. Asymmetry is considered attractive in Japanese culture.

With thousands of years of culture, history, and superstition, Japan is a country where things can mean more than you think. Therefore, it is always good to research more about the gift you want to give and the correct way to deliver it. Unfortunately, we cannot include all the tips and meanings in this article. If you wish to add something important, we would like to see your comments and also your sharing. Thank you xD