Gifts in Japan a primer

In Japan, the giving and receiving of gifts are traditional customs in that the value of the gift itself is not as important as its presentation and the thoughtfulness behind the giving. Nonetheless, it is a $124 million dollar industry with particular social events and specific days of gift-giving.

WHEN TO GIVE -

Most commonly, gifts are given when you are, or are going to be, indebted to another person, family, or business. So unless you are not planning to meet anyone on a trip to Japan, you should consider taking at least a few gifts with you. Another consideration is that the Japanese are constantly giving gifts and it would be embarrassing if you were empty handed. Also remember that tipping is not customary, but a small pin or memorabilia from Canada would be a most welcomed alternative. The following are examples of when a gift would be appropriate on a trip to Japan:

. to any and all business associates
. to new friends that you may make
. to home stay families and individual family members
. to any visits to a Japanese home
. to relatives

Traditionally, the Japanese have a gift giving season twice a year. The midsummer gift giving is called O-chugen and the year-end gift giving is called O-seibo. O-chugen originated as an offering to those families that had a death in the first half of the year and to this day O-chugen takes place two weeks before O-bon (the holiday for honouring the dead). The end of the year gift giving is more widely observed, with gifts going to friends, colleagues, teachers, clients or customers, and to anyone you are indebted to.

Business gift giving is much more lavish and prestigious, when humility is not a factor. Companies spend large sums of money on O-seibo gifts to their clients or customers of that year. And since everyone is giving a gift, there is a sense of competition to give the most interesting or valued gift. Department stores have a section just on gifts appropriate for gift giving. Naturally, department stores also have a gift wrapping and delivery service.

As well, gifts are given on congratulatory occasions such as birthdays, (especially at ages 60, 70, 77, 88, & 99) anniversaries, weddings, births, children's festivals, business openings, new homes, promotions, children passing entrance exams or graduation. Gifts are also important when returning from a trip for family, friends, and co-workers. This is one reason that the Japanese tourist is a valued customer in other countries.

Once a gift is given, the Japanese are sure to return with a "thank-you" gift called an O-kaeshi. This is an industry in itself as O-kaeshi are given at events such as weddings, funerals, births, illnesses, etc. Usually, the value of the O-kaeshi is half the value of the giver's gift. It is important to not be too lavish as the receiver will be obliged to return at least half your gift's value back to you.

HOW TO GIVE -

Gifts are always wrapped in paper, or at least in a fashionable box or container. Gifts are presented and received with a sense of humility and respect. Use both hands to give the gift and a bow. Often you say, "This is just a small thing" or "This is just a box of cookies." Receive the gift with both hands and a bow. Traditionally, gifts are not opened at the time they are received, but as a Westerner you might want or be expected to open the gift. It would be best to ask if you may open it, opening it carefully and respectfully. Do not crumple up the wrapping paper, but fold it nicely.

WHAT TO GIVE -

. money (clean bank notes) is appropriate for certain occasions such as weddings, funerals, births, and birthdays. Money must always be concealed or wrapped. There are special envelopes for each occasion available at stationery stores.
. food is a very common gift as Japanese homes are small and do not have much room for souvenirs or knickknacks
. cookies, expensive candy, condiments
. good quality teas and coffee (many Japanese are connoisseurs of good coffee)
. liquor, specifically scotch whiskey such as "Chivas Regal" or if you want to promote a Canadian product - ryes such as "Seagrams Crown Royal" (in a nice blue cloth bag) or "Canadian Club". Wine is also gaining in popularity
. handicraft items or items native to a particular area
. Canadian commemorative stamps are lightweight and easy to keep in a purse
. gift sets of tea towels, soaps, or other household gifts
. visiting from Canada, consider fresh smoked salmon, salmon or beef jerky, maple syrup, jams, cheeses, Canadian flag or other lapel pins, t-shirts or sweat shirts with Canadian themes, or other novelty items with the maple leaf emblem
. all food items should be certified, home made food items are often not acceptable

WHAT NOT TO GIVE -

. items that symbolize the severing of a relationship such as scissors, knives, or letter openers
. items in sets of four, a set is considered to be five, unlike the Western custom of a set of four, six, or eight
. items totalling an even number, such as four flower stems (the number four symbolizes death); items totalling nine (the number symbolizes suffering)
. flowers are generally used at times of illness, death, or courting only
. white and yellow chrysanthemums are for funerals
. anything with a sixteen-petal chrysanthemum, which is the family crest of the Royal family