熨 斗(のし)

のし

noun

noshi; ceremonial ornament on gifts

1. noshi; ceremonial ornament on gifts

A traditional Japanese decorative element attached to formal gifts, originally strips of dried abalone but now typically a printed design on gift wrapping paper.

お祝(いわ)いの品(しな)には熨斗(のし)を付(つ)けてもらった。

I had noshi attached to the celebratory gift.

熨斗(のし)紙(がみ)に名前(なまえ)を書(か)いてください。

Please write your name on the noshi paper.

結婚祝(けっこんいわ)いには紅白(こうはく)の熨斗(のし)を使(つか)う。

For wedding gifts, red and white noshi is used.

Cultural context: 熨斗(のし) is an essential element of formal Japanese gift-giving etiquette.

Origin: Originally 熨斗鮑(のしあわび) - strips of dried abalone stretched thin, symbolizing longevity. Now represented by a stylized design.

RELATED WORDS (parts of noshi paper):

水引(みずひき): decorative cord/ribbon
熨斗(のし): the ornament (upper right)
表書(おもてが)き: purpose of the gift
名前(なまえ): giver's name (below center)

USAGE (by occasion):

祝儀(しゅうぎ) (celebrations): uses 熨斗(のし)
不祝儀(ぶしゅうぎ) (condolences): NO 熨斗(のし)

Watch out

Funerals and memorial services
Gifts of fresh food or fish (already from the sea)
Some casual gift occasions

Common expressions

熨斗(のし)を付(つ)ける: to add noshi
熨斗(のし)紙(がみ): noshi wrapping paper
内熨斗(うちのし): noshi inside wrapping
外熨斗(そとのし): noshi outside wrapping

Related Words

Related: ラッピング (gift wrapping)

Related: 水引(みずひき) (decorative cord/ribbon)

Related: 表書(おもてが)き (purpose of the gift)

Related: 名前(なまえ) (giver's name)

Related: のし袋(ぶくろ) (decorative envelope for money gifts)

general

Added 2026.1.19 8:54 · Revised 2026.10.13 4:13

07000/07133_noshi