Cord colors and the knot
- Black-and-white musubi-kiri: the standard for koden - wakes, funerals and memorial services alike
- All-silver (sougin): a rank above black-and-white, used for amounts of 30,000 yen and up
- Yellow-and-white: used for memorial services in Kansai and Hokuriku; even there, black-and-white remains usual for wakes and funerals
- Why musubi-kiri: the knot cannot be retied - "may this misfortune happen only once". Bow-knot envelopes are never used
Match the envelope to the amount
A fancier envelope is not "more polite" - balance with the contents is what counts.
| Amount | Envelope |
|---|---|
| Up to 5,000 yen | Printed-cord type Find printed-cord envelopes |
| 10,000-30,000 yen | Real black-and-white cord Find black-and-white-cord envelopes |
| 30,000-50,000 yen | All-silver cord, premium washi Find silver-cord envelopes |
| 100,000 yen and up | Large-format, high-formality envelopes (pleated, danshi paper) |
The amounts themselves are covered relationship-by-relationship in the Koden Envelope & Amount Guide.
Religion-specific designs
- Plain (no lotus): works for every religion - the default when unsure
- Lotus motifs: Buddhist only - never for Shinto or Christian services
- Cross or lily motifs: Christian services; a plain white envelope also works
- Shinto: plain envelope with silver or black-and-white cord, inscribed 御玉串料
Preparing before you know the religion? Plain envelope × black-and-white cord × the inscription 御香典 is the safest combination.
Inner envelope or not
- With inner envelope is the standard: amount (in formal numerals) on its front, address and name on its back
- Some regions avoid inner envelopes ("a doubled envelope doubles misfortune") - using the envelope as sold is always acceptable
- Inscription, names and light ink are covered in steps 3-4 of the Koden Envelope & Amount Guide Find light-ink brush pens
Related pages
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Frequently asked questions
Is a convenience-store envelope rude?
Not at all. What matters is the balance between envelope and amount - a printed-cord type is fine up to about 5,000 yen.
Why not use a fancy envelope for a small amount?
The envelope's formality signals the amount inside. 5,000 yen in a premium silver-cord envelope reads as a mismatch when opened.
When is the yellow-and-white cord used?
For memorial services from the 49th day onward, mainly in Kansai and Hokuriku. Black-and-white is never wrong.
When can I use lotus-motif envelopes?
Only for Buddhist services. When the religion is unknown, choose a plain design.
Should I keep spare envelopes at home?
Yes - a plain black-and-white-cord envelope and a light-ink brush pen kept at home spare you a rushed purchase when sad news comes suddenly.
