Present Danger: Gifts You Shouldn’t Give In Japan!

| Culture | Posted by Erika on Jun.19.2017

Weddings:

Weddings have an especially long list of rules for what presents you’re not allowed to give to the newlyweds. You cannot gift anything sharp because it conveys an image of connections being cut, or en ga kireru, in Japanese. Therefore, scissors, knifes, etc. are not allowed. Handkerchiefs are also not allowed since handkerchiefs when written in Chinese characters are pronounced as tegire, and although the character is different from kire that means to cut, they are pronounced the same and is therefore thought to be suggestive of connections being cut. White handkerchiefs, especially, which are often associated with the white clothes used during burial ceremonies are also taboo.

Pakutaso

Kushi, or combs, are also not allowed. In Japanese, the number 9 which is pronounced as ku or kyuu, is associated with the character ku that means suffering and pain. The number 4 is pronounced as yon or shi, and shi means death in Japanese. Japanese tea is also considered taboo as the tea is also often used in bereavement or mourning. Anything fragile too, like tableware, wine glasses, mirrors and so on are also considered taboo.

Also, although in America it is common for the wedding guests to give the married couple items that they could use in their shared home, in Japan it is more common to give money. You must give the money to the newlyweds in a special envelope called a shuugi bukuro and the most common amount given is 3 man yen, or about 300 dollars. You are not allowed to give even numbers though because evens are divisible, which also gives the image of splitting and amounts with the number 4 or 10 are not allowed, since again they are associated with pain and death.

Hospital visits:

In Japan, besides family members and close friends, it’s also common for coworkers or business partners to also visit when you’re ill in a hospital.

Pakutaso

It’s nice to receive beautiful flowers when you’re feeling down in a hospital bed, but there are rules for what types of flowers you can give.

Chrysanthemums: These flowers are not allowed since they are often used in funerals and can make the patient think of death.
Lilies: Lilies are also considered taboo as they have a strong scent and are look down, expressing pessimism.
Cyclamen, pronounced shikuramen in Japanese: Cyclamen has the sounds shi and ku which are associated with suffering and death.
Camellia japonica, or tsubaki: Tsubaki are not allowed because when the flowers drop, they drop from the neck that gives the impression of heads falling, or death.
Red roses, and other deep red flowers: Red flowers remind the patient of blood.
Any flowers with pots/that require pots: In Japanese the word for potted or rooted plant nezuku sounds like netsuku which means to nod off or fall asleep and is thought to make one imagine slowly drifting off into death.

Pakutaso

Items that suggest the person will stay in the hospital for a long time are also not allowed. Therefore pajamas, soap, toothbrushes, etc. are considered taboo as well.

Housewarming parties:

In Japan, when someone has moved or has built a new house, you are not supposed to gift them anything that can cause fires since it can make them imagine or fear house fires. For example, lighters, ash pans, stoves, candles, etc., are not allowed as well as anything red since the color resembles a fire. Therefore, red flowers would also not be allowed.

Pakutaso

Today, not a lot of young people know of or practice these rules. But it’s still good to know and respect these rules. If you are giving presents to your close family however, or if you know that someone really loves a certain type of flower, tableware, candles, etc., it’s probably fine to gift them the things they like. But for people that you might not know and perhaps co-workers and bosses, it’s a good idea to abide by these rules and manners of gift-giving in Japan.