The correct way to use a fukusa at a wedding

Etiquette when invited to a wedding:
In order to make the guest of honor's celebration more enjoyable and not be rude to the guests,
Isn't this something we should remember as traditional Japanese etiquette?
In particular, wrapping the gift envelope in a fukusa is an important custom that shows respect for the recipient.
There are also a few points to keep in mind when using a fukusa and how to hand over a gift envelope.
Below, I would like to explain in detail how to choose a fukusa, how to use it, and how to hand it over.
I hope this will be useful in an emergency.

What is a fukusa?

It is a cloth used to wrap gifts, letters, etc. and hand them over to the recipient, and is one of the tools necessary for traditional Japanese etiquette.
Originally it was used to protect letters and correspondence,
Nowadays, it is mainly used to wrap money and valuables on celebrations and condolences.
At weddings, fukusa are also used to wrap "congratulatory envelopes" and are considered to show courtesy and respect.

How to choose a fukusa for a wedding

Brightly colored fukusa are used for celebrations such as weddings.
Specifically, warm colors such as red, pink, orange, yellow, and purple are common.
These colors are considered appropriate for celebrations and are meant to show congratulations to the recipient.

Basic usage of fukusa

1. Prepare a gift envelope
Place the gift money in the envelope and seal it tightly.
It is advisable to use new banknotes, as this symbolizes celebrating a new beginning.
When placing the bills, make sure the person's face is facing outwards when wrapped.

2. Wrap the gift envelope in a fukusa
First, unfold the fukusa. There is a correct way to wrap a fukusa, so follow this carefully.
For weddings, place the gift envelope diagonally across the square corner of the fukusa, then fold it in from the left, top, bottom, and right sides to wrap it.

Manners when handing over

When giving a wedding gift at the reception on the day of the wedding, follow the steps below.

1. Greeting at the reception
When you arrive at the reception, first greet the guests by expressing your gratitude for being invited and offering your congratulations.

2. Take out the gift envelope
Once you have finished your greetings, take the gift envelope out of the fukusa.
*Please be sure to remove the gift from the cloth before handing it over, as it would be considered rude to hand it over while still wrapped in the cloth.

Things to note

There are a few things to keep in mind when giving wedding gifts.

1. Carrying a fukusa
It's a good idea to keep a fukusa in the bag you bring to the wedding.
It probably won't be too crowded, but if you have something special to say, make sure you arrive at the venue with plenty of time to spare.

2. Amount of gift money
The standard amount for a gift is generally 30,000 yen.
However, this may vary depending on the relationship between friends and relatives.
It's important to include the right amount.

The meaning and spirit of using a fukusa

The act of wrapping a gift envelope in a fukusa has not only a practical purpose of protecting the item,
It has a deep meaning of showing respect to the other person.
By wrapping the item, you can communicate to the recipient that you are handling it carefully without revealing the contents directly.

The act of opening a fukusa also symbolizes "prudence" and "consideration."
Since ancient times, this behavior has been highly valued as the embodiment of Japanese virtue.
Adhering to these traditional etiquette practices would be considered polite behavior even today.

When participating in a major life event such as a wedding,
Practicing proper etiquette using a fukusa is one of the greatest ways to show respect to others.

It may not be absolutely necessary now,
You never know when or in what situation you might need to respect good manners.
I hope that if you remember even a little of this introduction and explanation, you will be able to remember how to use a fukusa.