If you have been invited to a Japanese themed wedding, you may want to give a gift that is in the same vein as the theme. Maybe you have been invited to a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony and you want to give the typical gift that is expected. There is also gift giving involved within the bride and grooms families and this is usually done at a formal dinner on a “most auspicious” day that is chosen from the Japanese almanac. These gifts are called “Yui-no” or engagement gifts.

A Wedding Gift for a Traditional Japanese Wedding Ceremony and Reception

If you have been invited to a true, authentic Japanese wedding, the traditional gift that is given to the newly married couple is typically cash. This is what is called Oshugi. The amount you are expected to give will depend upon the depth of your relationship with the marrying couple. The Oshugi you are expected to give is often written on the wedding invitation. If you are in doubt about what amount you should give, a good figure for friends of the pair is 30,000 yen or $250 American dollars.

Gifts for a Wedding with a Japanese Theme

A wonderful gift that will be long appreciated could be a bonsai tree. Not only is a bonsai tree a thing of beauty, it must be cared for and perhaps this could be an activity that the newlyweds can share in order to spend quality time together. Another excellent choice would be a soup serving set complete with spoons. They are sure to enjoy eating their soup with authentic Japanese utensils and are bound to think of you when they do.

A terrific idea for the couple that appreciates Japanese culture is a gift certificate to their favorite Hibachi or Sushi restaurant. This can be another gift that requires that the couple spend quality time with each other in order to best enjoy it. A Daruma doll is thought to be a symbol of protection and good luck in Japan. Typically this doll is given at the beginning of a new venture. A sand garden is also another excellent choice for a gift to give at a Japanese themed wedding. It is thought that the placing of the stones and the raking of the sand can calm even the most restless mind and relieve stress. This may be important for a couple as a way to soothe any stressful feelings they experience, as they embark on forging a life together and come upon the inevitable bumps in the road.

By: Yolanda Nash

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By: kousteau

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The Japanese culture has developed over the years. From the ancient and classical Japan, to the birth of the samurais, and now a modern Japanese culture came to exist. Of course, many neighboring countries influenced it and it has played a great role in shaping the modern Japanese culture. It has been a combination of various cultures and although it has experienced isolation from the world during the Tokugawa reign, it has still that distinct Japanese culture. It does not only depict the creativity and the independence of the Japanese people, it also reflects the strength of the Japanese by heart. Japanese culture is indeed rich in the field of arts, music, literature, and many more. From its classical roots, Japan is known for their traditional art forms and their artistic nature. It has brought the world the wide range of manga and comics. Japanese culture consists of the many anime artists that made Japanese animation known throughout the world. Video games, music, and entertainment shows from Japan has lead great contribution to the cyber industry.

During the ancient period, Japanese culture consisted of traditional music, geisha, samurai and many more. The geishas were trained from childhood and there were geisha houses that shelter them. This was part of the tradition that formed the Japanese culture. Another unique thing is the language they use. The Japanese language plays a vital role in the Japanese culture. It is widely spoken in Japan and many Westerners learn it. Japanese is written in three ways. The hiragana, the katakana and the kanji are the three scripts. The kanji was imported from China while the katakana contains Chinese characters.

Calligraphy is also part of the Japanese culture, which is the way of writing characters in a very artistic way. Sumi-e or ink painting is the art of painting an object or scene. Another form of Japanese art that is a part of the Japanese culture is the Ikebana. It is the art of flower arrangement and is still widely used in Japan as well as in other countries. When it comes to theater arts, the Japanese culture is very remarkable. They have traditional theaters, which are unique in the Japanese culture. There are basically four types of theaters in Japan, particularly the noh, kyogen, kabuki and the bunraku. Performers used masks to depict the characters. Most of the time, they express emotions through their actions and dialogue. Part of the Japanese culture is the bunraku which dates back during the Heian period. It is actually a puppet theater, which highlight historical plays.

When it comes to clothing, the kimono is the traditional garment for the Japanese people. They come in a variety of colors and designs. The yukata have lighter colors and usually worn during the summer time. Most men prefer to wear the kimonos that have dark colors. You can look for kimonos in shops at Nagoya, Mei, and Tokyo. But nowadays, the kimonos are used by Japanese on special occasions. Indeed the Japanese culture is rich in variety and has its distinct characteristics that make it one of the best cultures in the world.

By: Tomoko Asai

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Many know Japan as a country with an excellent cuisine and advanced technology. More importantly, though, it is a country with a rich culture and deeply rooted unique traditions. Before you go on a trip to Japan, then, it’s best to learn about Japanese culture, starting with knowing the top Japanese customs.

Bowing is one of the most practiced Japanese customs, as well as one of the most important. Therefore, try to bow when you are introduced to a Japanese. You do not always need to bow from the waist. A short bow angled at about fifteen degrees should suffice, although keep in mind that bows are usually longer and lower when you are apologizing or in front of someone superior.

Greeting one another is also encouraged, so remember to always say good morning (ohayo gozaimasu), good day (konnichiwa), good evening (konbanwa) or good night (oyasuminasai) during your trip to Japan. Don’t forget to say thank you (arigato gozaimasu), as well or say goodbye (sayounara or jyaa ne) before leaving. When addressing someone, always use their last name, and then add the suffix -san or -sama, since only very close friends or family members call each other by their first name.

In case you get invited to a Japanese home, remember to remove your shoes at the entrance and place them in an orderly manner on the rack or beside the others. The same is true with most business establishments and hotels in Japan. If there is a pair of indoor slippers at the entrance, put them on but take them off before stepping onto a tatami mat, the traditional Japanese straw mat.

Sampling Japanese cuisine is one of the highlights of a trip to Japan and while Japanese food is delicious in itself, it is best enjoyed with chopsticks. Indeed, using chopsticks is one of the things you should learn how to do before your trip. It shouldn’t be that difficult. Just find someone to teach you how then keep on practicing. Once you know how, be polite by not leaving your chopsticks in your rice bowl or clattering them together.

Aside from learning how to use chopsticks, you should learn Japanese table manners, too, which are equally important Japanese customs. No matter what you are eating, make sure you say ‘itadakimasu’ first. This literally means ‘I will receive’ but is used more as the Japanese for ‘Bon appetit’. If you have been given an oshibori or hand towel, use this to wipe your hands only before eating, then set it aside. Also, you will be relieved to know that slurping is acceptable, and is even considered a compliemnt to the cook or a sign of gratitude.

Once you are finished with your meal at a Japanese restaurant, place your payment on the small tray provided and do not leave a tip. The ‘no tipping’ rule also applies to other establishments in Japan since this is widely considered as an insult so just pay the price and use your extra cash to shop for gadgets and other goodies on your trip to Japan.

Aside from getting your fill of Japanese cuisine, it’s also a great idea to go to an onsen or a hot spring during your trip to Japan so you can relax and refresh your mind and body. There are Japanese customs to observe when bathing, too. For one, keep in mind that onsens and public baths are technically not for bathing, but for soaking, so wash and rinse before getting into the water. Also, take care not to dirty the water in any way. Although you may still receive stares because you are a foreigner, at least, they will be stares of curiosity or even awe, rather than rude ones.

By: Isabella Olsen

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Business Marketing

Paul Brown is a marketing consultant and life-long learner with a passion for languages.