Noshi Envelope Cover-Text Preview (Japanese Gift Envelopes)

What decides the wording and knot style

The cover text, knot style, presence of the noshi ornament, and ink shade shown by this tool follow the etiquette explained consistently across Japanese gift-giving guides (department stores, funeral service providers, and similar sources).

What is a noshi envelope?

A noshi envelope (のし袋) is a decorated paper envelope used across Japan to present money as a gift for celebrations or as condolence money at a funeral. The wording on the front (the "cover text" or 表書き), the style of cord (水引, mizuhiki) tied around it, and even the ink color used to write the sender's name are all chosen according to the occasion — getting any of them wrong can come across as a real breach of etiquette.

Choosing the knot style

• Chōmusubi (bow knot), which can be untied and retied: used for occasions that can happily happen again, such as a birth, a child starting school, or moving into a new home.
• Musubikiri (fixed knot), which cannot be untied once tied: used for occasions meant to happen only once, such as a wedding, or that shouldn't recur, such as an illness (get-well money, recovery celebrations).
• Black-and-white musubikiri: used for all condolence-money occasions.

Choosing between goreizen, gobutsuzen, and gokoden

In Buddhist tradition, a person's spirit is believed to become a Buddha at the 49th-day memorial service, so "御霊前" (goreizen) is used before that date, and "御仏前" (gobutsuzen) after it. One exception: in the Jōdo Shinshū sect, the deceased is believed to become a Buddha immediately, so "御仏前" is used even before the 49th day. If you don't know the family's sect, "御香典" (gokōden) is a safe, neutral choice that works at any time and for any sect.

Pale ink vs. regular ink

From the wake and funeral through the 49th-day memorial (goreizen, gokōden), the cover text is traditionally written in pale ink, symbolizing tears that thinned the ink in grief. After the 49th-day memorial (gobutsuzen), pale ink is no longer used — regular dark ink is used instead.

Whether the noshi ornament appears

The noshi ornament (the folded paper decoration in the upper right) originally symbolizes a celebration, so it is omitted for get-well money and all condolence money. Most celebrations include it, but get-well money is an exception even among celebrations — it's left off in the hope that the illness won't drag on.

Writing multiple names (joint gifts)

Up to three names can be written on the front. The most senior person's name goes on the right, with the rest following right to left in descending order of seniority; among equals, names are typically ordered alphabetically (in Japanese, by the gojūon syllabary) from the right. For four or more givers, it's customary to write a representative's name followed by "外一同" (and others), listing everyone else on a separate sheet placed inside — this tool supports up to three names and does not cover that case.

What this tool does not cover

This tool does not currently cover Shinto (御玉串料) or Christian (御花料) condolence wording — if you're unsure of the family's religion, "御香典" is a safe fallback. It also does not cover how to write the amount and address on the inner envelope, or aligning the design for actual printing at real-world size. Regional and family customs can differ from what's described here; when in doubt, it's best to confirm with an elder relative or the funeral service provider.