Stationery for congratulation and condolence
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By Japanese custom, gifts of all kinds are presented in some
kind of cover, either a furoshiki(see above: S-5-9-7) or a
paper envelope. This paper envelope is decorated with
symbolic objects to suit the occasion. The shugi-bukuro is
an envelope for gifts of money given at weddings, births or
other festive occasions. It is decorated with cords of
tightly-twisted paper (mizuhiki) tied in an intricate bow.
Cords used on happy occasions are either red and white, gold
and silver or red and gold. The sender writes a brief
greeting above the cord and his name below it. At funerals,
a condolence offering is given in a similar envelope called
a koden-bukuro. On this occasion the cords are black and
white, yellow and white or black and silver.
When a couple is betrothed, a formal set of items is
exchanged by their families. This set, yuino yohin consists
of a list of betrothal presents, a folding fan, a sum of
money for a silk kimono, a receipt for this money and lists
of the names of the families and relatives. Attached to
yuino yohin is a long strip of noshi (dried meat of the
awabi or abalone). Wrapped in red and white paper, this
felicitous symbol is often attached to congratulatory gifts
and shugi-bukuro. In modern times, a strip of paper is
invariably substituted for the dried abalone.
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