On the day a shop or office opens in Japan, flowers line the entrance and reception.
The classic opening gifts are phalaenopsis orchids and houseplants. In Japan the phalaenopsis carries the flower meaning of happiness flying in, which is why it has long been chosen as a celebration gift.
Among the ways to choose a gift, giving a painting is another option.
In this article I write about the basics of opening gifts in Japan, plus what to keep in mind when giving a painting.
The basics of opening gifts in Japan
When to send
The common guide is to have the gift arrive between about a week before the opening day and the day before.
Some also aim for the day before or the day of the opening. The days just before an opening are often busy with preparations, so it is reassuring to check the delivery date with the recipient first.
How much to spend
The gift guide of the Mitsukoshi Isetan Group gives the following guide.
- Friends and acquaintances: 5,000 to 10,000 yen
- Relatives: 10,000 to 30,000 yen
- Business partners or superiors: 10,000 to 50,000 yen
- Companies: 5,000 to 50,000 yen (varies with size and industry)
These are only guides, and they also vary with how close you are and the region.
Things said to be best avoided
Red items, or things that suggest fire, are said to be unsuitable as opening gifts because they call to mind being in the red or in debt.
Other things mentioned as best avoided are items with strong scents, items that are too large, plus food with a very short shelf life.
Each industry also has its own concerns, such as hygiene and space in restaurants, or scent in clinics.
Noshi (gift wrapping paper)
A red-and-white mizuhiki cord tied in a bow is used, with inscriptions such as Go-kaiten iwai, Go-kaigyo iwai or Oiwai, all meaning congratulations on your opening.
Five things to keep in mind when giving a painting
1. Size
A newly opened shop or office often has not yet settled where things go. A painting that is too large can leave the recipient unsure where to hang it.
A smaller piece that fits by the reception, next to the register or near a desk, or one that can either hang on a wall or stand on a shelf, makes it easier for the recipient.
2. Color
As mentioned above, red items are sometimes said to be unsuitable as opening gifts.
At the same time, red is also a color of celebration, as in red and white, so with paintings it is hard to generalize. If you want to give a painting centered on red, I think it is best to choose based on whether the recipient minds such things.
Many of my works also use red or orange. In works where red overlaps with blue, green or gold rather than standing alone, red alone is unlikely to be what catches the eye.
3. No care needed
A painting needs no watering and has no scent. Even after the flowers are gone, it can stay where it is. It is an easy gift to place in restaurants, clinics or salons that are careful about scent.
4. Why this painting
When the reason for the gift comes across, the way a painting is displayed changes.
If the title of the work or the words behind it are included, the recipient can know why this painting was chosen. They may even share that story with their customers.
5. Time until delivery
An existing work can be delivered right away.
A commissioned painting takes time to create. If you want it ready for the opening day, ask early. If it will not be ready in time, giving it as a celebration a little after the opening is another option.
Giving a commissioned painting for an opening
I paint portraits that do not depict outward form, after listening to people's stories.
For gift requests, I ask about the person receiving it (their age range, atmosphere, work and so on, as far as you are comfortable sharing), your relationship, plus when you would like to give it. During the hearing, I also listen to the feelings behind the gift and bring them into one painting.
When the subject is a company or business itself, I create BUSINESS ART: one original painting of what the business has valued and where it wants to go.
Work begins after payment is confirmed, and pieces usually ship in about one to two months. If you want it to match an opening day, asking early, counting back from that date, makes it easier to be on time.
The owner of a photo studio shared this with me.
"Some of the models who come to our studio ask to see the work too. I suppose it soothes them. It does for me as well." (Man in his 60s)
A painting placed in a shop or office is seen not only by its owner but also by everyone who visits.
If flowers are a gift that celebrates the opening day, I think a painting is a gift that stays beside the days that follow.
Pricing and sizes are on the Pricing page, and gift requests are also covered in the FAQ.
[References]
Yayoi Co., Ltd. (Japanese): Gifts for a company founding, opening or new shop? Gift amounts plus etiquette
Mitsukoshi Isetan Group (Japanese): Etiquette guide for shop and business opening gifts: lucky charms, beckoning cats, how to write noshi paper, recommended gifts
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