頓首(とんしゅ)

とんしゅ
noun
respectfully yours; sincerely (formal letter closing)
formalwrittencommunication
1. respectfully yours; sincerely (closing of a formal letter)
A very formal closing phrase used in traditional Japanese letter writing, originally meaning 'bowing one's head to the ground.' Paired with 拝啓(はいけい) (Dear Sir/Madam) as the opening.
拝啓(はいけい)　時下(じか)ますますご清栄(せいえい)のこととお慶(よろこ)び申(もう)し上(あ)げます。...頓首(とんしゅ)
Dear Sir/Madam, I hope you are well and prospering. ... Respectfully yours
手紙(てがみ)の末尾(まつび)に「頓首(とんしゅ)」と書(か)くのは非常(ひじょう)に改(あらた)まった表現(ひょうげん)だ。
Writing 'tonshu' at the end of a letter is an extremely formal expression.
2. a deep bow of respect; kowtow
The original meaning: to quickly touch one's forehead to the ground as a gesture of respect. Now rarely used in this literal sense.
頓首(とんしゅ)とは、地面(じめん)に額(ひたい)をつけて礼(れい)をする動作(どうさ)のことである。
Tonshu refers to the act of touching one's forehead to the ground as a bow of respect.

Originally a Chinese custom of prostrating oneself with the forehead touching the ground. In modern Japanese, used almost exclusively as a formal letter-closing formula.

Letter format

In traditional Japanese letter writing, openings and closings come in matched pairs:

Usage

頓首(とんしゅ) is traditionally used by men; women conventionally use かしこ instead. This gender distinction is becoming less strict in modern usage but still observed in very formal correspondence.

Similar words

  • 敬具(けいぐ): sincerely; respectfully — the standard formal letter closing, less elevated than 頓首(とんしゅ)
  • かしこ: respectfully (women's letter closing) — the traditional female equivalent
  • 草々(そうそう): in haste — a less formal closing, paired with 前略(ぜんりゃく)

Related Words

Compare: 敬具(けいぐ) (sincerely)
general
Added 2026.4.21 19:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
24500/24865_tonshu