Many of our customers who purchase Kamakura-bori products from our store are buying them as gifts, and we often provide Noshi paper for them.
We may receive orders for Noshi paper for items such as standard trays and plates in large boxes, or even for chopsticks in boxes.
*The product in the photo is our very popular 8-inch peach plate plum-shaped.
Click here for chopstick gifts
Here, I would like to talk about some questions about Noshi paper.
First of all, what is “Noshi”?
``Noshi'' is the decoration on the upper right corner of gift bags and gift paper, and is an abbreviation for ``Noshiawabi.'' ``Noshi Awabi'' is abalone that is peeled into long thin strips, stretched and dried. In ancient times, abalone was extremely valuable and was used as offerings for Shinto rituals. Dried abalone was highly nutritious and long-lasting, so it was valued as a preserved food.
Nowadays, we often use noshi paper with ``Noshi'' and mizuhiki printed on it, but in the past, gifts were wrapped in paper and tied with a mizuhiki, and a real noshi awabi wrapped in paper was attached to it. I was there. Even today, Noshiawabi is sometimes used as a gift for weddings. It seems that Mizuhiki not only had the role of securing the wrapping, but also had the meaning of connecting the hearts of the giver and the recipient.
By the way, ``Noshi'' is used for general gifts and celebrations, and is not used for mourning events such as funerals and memorial services. Also, visiting an illness or disaster is not a celebration, so ``Noshi'' is not used. In this case, it is simply called ``kakegami'' and is distinguished from noshigami.
Now, there are generally two ways to paste this paper.
Inside
This method involves placing paper directly on the item in the box and then wrapping it with wrapping paper. Since the front cover is hidden behind the wrapping paper and cannot be seen, it is generally used as an understatement and is often used as a family gift in return for a gift received. Also, when shipping by courier, the wrapping paper is often wrapped inside to protect it.
Outside
This is a method of placing wrapping paper over the wrapping paper that wrapped the item. The front page is clearly visible to the recipient, so it is suitable for hand-delivering celebratory items or souvenirs directly.
By the way, at Sansuido, unless you specify otherwise, we will serve you inside.
In the past, the original gift-giving style was to wrap the item in votive paper, sprinkle it with mizuhiki, wrap it in a furoshiki, bring it to the recipient's house, untie the furoshiki in front of them, and hand it over. Therefore, we believe that wrapping it in wrapping paper over the wrapping paper is closer to the original style.
In any case, there is no strict rule as to which one to choose, inner or outer. It may depend on the customs of the region, the historical background, and the situation at the time, so I think it is most important to express the care from the giver to the recipient without being too particular about the form.
What kind of paper should I prepare in such a case?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!
