(Japan Tip of the Day)
If you have family members or friends who are Japanese, you may have opportunities to attend local wedding ceremonies. If that’s the case, you will need to prepare a handsel.
A handsel is a monetary gift given to the couple. In Okinawa and mainland Japan, it is called “goshugi.”
If you’re not from Japan, you might not know how much money to prepare for the gift. The amount varies by proximity and familiarity with the couple.
The average amount to give is thought to be 10,000 yen (approx. $70) in Okinawa whereas 30,000 yen is the average on mainland Japan.
If you’re a relative, coworker or work boss of the bride or bridegroom, the amount to gift might be a bit higher, around 30,000 yen or more.
When you prepare a goshugi, you will need to pay attention to several things.
First, prepare crisp new bills. Avoid using old ones.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Secondly, put the bill in a goshugi-bukuro, a special envelope for a handsel. Most goshugi-bukuro have an inner envelope, so the bill should be arranged in a manner that the face of the bill is facing you with the illustrated figure close to the opening of the envelope.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
For instance, on a 10,000-yen note, the portrait of entrepreneur Eiichi Shibusawa should be visible when pulling out the bill.
On the inner envelope, the amount of the gift is written on the front, and your name and address are written on the back.
Once that step is completed, you wrap the inner envelope with the “sototsutsumi (outer wrap).”
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Be sure to make the fold-back part of the bottom side of the wrapper come on top so that the luck “goes up.”
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Finally, bind the wrapper with a “mizuhiki (tying string)” and slide in a “tanzaku (slip of paper)” with your name on it between the tying string and the wrapper.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Don’t worry if you struggle to get it right. Ask a friend if you need help putting it together. Either way, the couple will appreciate your effort and your presence on their special day.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
