のし袋(ぶくろ)

Etymology

熨斗(のし) (decorative paper strip) + 袋(ぶくろ) (bag, envelope)

RELATED WORDS (parts of the envelope):

• 熨斗(のし) - decorative folded paper
• 水引(みずひき) - decorative cord
• 表書(おもてが)き - writing on front (occasion name)

Types

• 紅白(こうはく) (red and white) - for celebrations
• 黒白(くろしろ) (black and white) - condolence envelopes for funerals; these carry no 熨斗(のし), so strictly they are not のし袋(ぶくろ), though the word is used loosely
• The 水引(みずひき) is tied in a bow (蝶結(ちょうむす)び) for events that may happen again, and in a knot that cannot be untied (結(むす)び切(き)り) for once-only events such as weddings

Usage

Used for money gifts at weddings (結婚(けっこん)), births (出産(しゅっさん)), and school entrance or graduation (入学(にゅうがく), 卒業(そつぎょう)).

Related words

• ご祝儀(しゅうぎ) - congratulatory money
• 香典(こうでん) - condolence money
• お年玉(としだま)袋(ぶくろ) - New Year's money envelope