Japanese Etiquette When Giving Gifts
There are many considerations concerning etiquette that one must take into account when planning to give gifts in Japan. Many Westerners are unfamiliar with Japanese gift giving protocol and tend to make mistakes. If you are visiting for business or for vacation, you might be expected to give a gift to your hosts, especially if they have given you one first.
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Basics
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According to Facts and Details, "There is a certain protocol that determines what kind of gifts should be bought and how much money should be spent depending on the occasion, the gift-giver's wealth, and his or her closeness to the gift-receiver. In some cases gifts are thanked with a thank you gift, which in turn is thanked with a thank you gift." Make sure to consider your relationship to the recipient of the gift before purchasing it. Keep track of gifts you receive, and respond accordingly. The recipient surely will.
Return Gifts
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Okaeshi are gifts that are given in return for gifts received. They are often given by recipients of wedding and funeral gifts. Facts and Details suggests that "Wedding gifts are like loans. The money that a couple receives on their wedding day is given back in the future." While the return gift will be given at a later date, the type and cost of the gift will be remembered, and the return gift should be comparable.
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Seasonal Gifts
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There are two times of year in which seasonal gifts are exchanged: Oseibo and Ochugen. Japan Guide reports that "Twice a year, in December and in June, it is common for co-workers, friends and relatives to exchange gifts." Furthermore, "The gift giving seasons coincide with company employees receiving a special bonus in addition to their monthly salaries." Sake, candy or other food, home goods and other comparable items are common seasonal gifts. Oseibo and Ochugen gifts are normally in the 5,000 yen price range, somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 U.S. dollars.
Thank You Gifts
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Japan Guide specifies that "In order to thank somebody, one often presents a gift (temiyage), such as Japanese sweets or sake." Thank you gifts are often brought to a host's home when visiting. The gift can be inexpensive or simple, but, as Facts and Details explains, "carefully wrapped and nicely packaged." Thank you gifts are also a common business practice. Work Etiquette elaborates that "Gift giving in Japan is a way of demonstrating friendship, respect and appreciation, and it is something that is deeply ingrained into Japanese business culture." If visiting on a business trip, a gift is a good way to show appreciation to your hosts. Work Etiquette adds that "Suitable gifts might include a good quality pen, which is a symbol of knowledge in Japan."
Souvenir Gifts
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Japan Guide states that "when a Japanese person returns from a trip, he or she bring home souvenirs (omiyage) to friends, co-workers and relatives." Facts and Details reports that "The customs dates back to a time when pilgrimages were common and pilgrims brought back something from their trip." Tourists sites in Japan feature many shops for visitors to purchase gifts, and airports and train stations will also be equipped with gift shops to accommodate last-minute shopping while traveling.
Considerations
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It is expected that gift givers will pass the gift to the recipient with both hands. Furthermore, gifts must also be received with both hands. Work Etiquette also suggests, "Don't surprise your Japanese hosts with your gift. Let them know that you would like to present them with a token of your appreciation first before holding it out to them with two hands." Facts and Details also explains, "The recipient of a gift should make sure to shower the gift giver with thanks, smiles and compliments." Finally, make sure that any gifts, excepting money, which should be exchanged in an envelope specially tailored for the purpose, is carefully wrapped.
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References
- Photo Credit sake set image by Aleksandr Lobanov from Fotolia.com
