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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