Manners for the Mid-Summer Gift Giving Year 2023 Edition: When to Give, Who to Give it to, How to Give it to Someone, and How to Hang a Wrapper.
Bon Festival giftsOchugen 2023Bon Festival gift wrapping paperMid-Year GiftsManners for mid-year gift-givingHow to give a mid-year giftWhen to give a mid-year gift
The summer gift of “Onchugen” is a way to express our daily gratitude. In order to convey your gratitude, it is important not to be rude. We asked etiquette consultant Ms. Hiroko Nishide to give us the latest on the latest etiquette for the “Onchugen” season, recommended items, and items that are not suitable for the “Onchugen” season.
What is “Onchugen”? What is its origin?
Ochugen is a gift given as a token of gratitude to those who have taken care of us on a daily basis. Its origin is said to be in China.
The origin of “Onchugen” comes from China. In China, the beginning of the year is called “Yuan,” and July 15, the middle of the year, is called “Chugen. This was combined with the custom of giving gifts to each other during the Bon festival in Japan, which became known as the “Omitsama Matsuri” (the festival of the spirits of the dead). (Mr. Nishide/ hereafter the same).
It is also said that once a person has given a gift of ochugen, he or she should continue to give it every year thereafter, but the relationship between the two may change in various ways. You may respond flexibly.
Different regions have different times of the year for giving the mid-year gift.
Please note that the time of year for giving Ochugen varies from region to region.
In the Kanto region, it is said that the most common time to give Ochugen is from early July (late June according to one theory) to July 15, but there are differences depending on the region. This is because of the difference between the lunar calendar and the new calendar, and the idea that Ochugen coincides with Obon. The important thing is to know the local customs of the recipient and give according to the local, regional, and family intentions. Ideally, you should communicate with each other on a regular basis to understand the circumstances of the recipient.
For your reference, the following is the approximate time of year to give the mid-year gift by region.
(Note, however, that the timing may vary depending on the customs and ideas of each region or locality.
Hokkaido: July 15 to August 15 (varies by region even within Hokkaido)
Tohoku and Hokuriku: July 1 to July 15 in some areas and July 15 to August 15 in others (in recent years, the number of July 15 or thereabouts has been increasing).
Kanto: Late June or early July to July 15
Tokai: Mid-July to August 15 (in recent years, the number of dates around July 15 has been increasing)
Kansai: July 16 to the end of July in some areas and until August 15 in others.
Chugoku and Shikoku: Mid-July to August 15
Kyushu: July 15 (or August 1) to August 15
Okinawa: Around July 15 on the lunar calendar (mid-August on the new calendar)
There are regional differences, but if you are not sure when to send your gift, just send it so that it arrives between July 10 and Risshu (around August 7), the 24th day of the lunar calendar, and you should have no problem. Also, they say there is no need to worry even if you send the mid-year gift late.
For example, in the Kanto region, it is said to be sent by July 15, but if for some reason it is sent after that date, it is better to write “Shochu Goshoai” on the front of the envelope instead of “Onchugen. It is better to send it as “Shochu Gosho” instead of “Onchugen”. If it is after Risshu (around August 7), there is no problem if you send it as “Zanzagatsu Gosho”.
Who should I give it to? Who should I give the mid-year gift to?
Is there a standard to whom we should give the “Onchugen” gift?
There are no clear rules as to who should receive the gift of “Onchugen,” as it is a way of expressing gratitude for the daily support you receive. Generally, it is best to give to parents, relatives, and others who are close to you and have taken care of you on a daily basis. The important thing in terms of manners is to discuss the matter with family members and relatives, and to be on the same page. For example, you can prevent emotional problems by communicating with your in-laws about your parents-in-law, and with your own partner about your siblings-in-law. For work-related people, follow workplace conventions. However, in recent years, the idea of abolishing false courtesies has become widespread. To avoid this, it is important to give the mid-year gift to the person you wish to give it to, giving priority to ‘feelings of gratitude.
If you or the recipient is in mourning, should you refrain from giving Ochugen?
You may give the gift even if you or the recipient is in mourning, because it is not a festive occasion. However, some people may feel uncomfortable with the red-and-white mizuhiki, so it would be nice if you could write your gift on a plain white tanzaku or plain white stick-embossed paper instead of using noshi (gift wrapping paper) or mizuhiki. The wrapping paper should also be in chic colors to convey your feelings. If the recipient is in mourning, it is also a good idea to send the gift as a “Shochu Goshoai” (a visit during the hot season) at a different time of year.
The market price of Ochugen and points to consider when selecting items for Ochugen
Kakegami, how to give, accompanying letters, etc. Manners for giving Ochugen (midday gift)
Do you have to keep on giving gifts? What if you want to stop exchanging gifts?
It is a basic rule that once you start giving a mid-year gift, you should continue to do so every year, but there may be situations when you have to stop for various reasons. In such cases, what kind of consideration is necessary?
If you decide to stop sending New Year’s greeting cards, you do not have to tell the recipient that you are ending the exchange. However, for those to whom you have once sent a mid-year or year-end gift, we recommend that you continue to send annual greetings such as New Year’s cards even after you have stopped exchanging New Year’s cards.
Manners of Ochugen (gifts at the end of the year) in 2021. When you see a smile on the face of your loved one, you can send your feelings to them.
As basic as it may sound, “Manners are not rules,” says Nishide.
Manners are about putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and being considerate. I believe that such consideration will strengthen the relationship. The custom of giving a midyear gift to someone because you are indebted to them is important because it is related to the Bon Festival, but if you are bound by the timing of the Bon Festival and lack consideration for the recipient, you are missing the whole point. To avoid such a situation, it is also nice to give a gift when you find something the recipient likes or when you see a local specialty that looks delicious on your trip, and it will be appreciated by the recipient.
The mid-year gift is a way to express gratitude for the daily life and to say, “Please keep up the good relationship with us. Why not give a gift that will deepen the bond between you and the recipient, while cherishing the honest feelings of wanting to please and giving?
Cooperative supervision of “Manners at the Mid-Summer Gift Giving” by region
Hokkaido: Manners Coach Yoko Nitori
Tohoku, Hokuriku: Manners Instructor Etsuko Sudo
Tokai: Manners Instructor Natsuki Yamada
Kansai: Manners Coach Shigeto Sawara
Chugoku/Shikoku: Manners Consultant Eri Kawamichi
Kyushu: Manners Instructor Satoko Yamazaki
Okinawa: Manners Consultant Junko Nitta
Interview and text by Yoshiko Tezuka
Illustrations by Tomoko Shinozuka
Hiroko Nishidethree
We spoke with…
Manner consultant. He has taught manners to actors, athletes, and celebrities for NHK historical dramas, movies, and commercials, and has also covered the manners of the Imperial Family. She has also supervised and written more than 100 books, which have sold more than 1 million copies. The know-how that Ms. Nishide imparts can be easily incorporated into daily life and work, and is popular for its highly convincing content.
For more information about Ms. Hiroko Nishide, please visitOfficial Siteand,InstagramThe information is updated as needed on the following website.
