How do I write ¥30,000 on the inner envelope?

It is common to write 「金参萬円」 vertically in the center of the front of the inner envelope. For a more formal look, write 「金参萬圓也」. If the inner envelope has a printed horizontal amount box, write the amount in Arabic numerals like 「¥30,000-」.

For a ¥5,000 kōden, should the inner envelope say 「伍阡円」 or 「五千円」?

Both are used. Writing 「金伍阡円」 in tamper-resistant daiji is the more polite way, while 「金五千円」 is sometimes used on simple envelopes or between close relations. If you are unsure, 「金伍阡円」 is never rude.

How do I write ¥100,000 in daiji?

It is 「金壱拾萬円」. Some people omit 壱 and write 「金拾萬円」. ¥1,000,000 becomes 「金壱百萬円」. The quick-reference chart tab lists how to write amounts from ¥3,000 to ¥1,000,000.

How do I choose between 御霊前 and 御仏前?

In Buddhist rites, 「御霊前」 is usual before the 49th day (wake and funeral) and 「御仏前」 for memorial services from the 49th day onward. However, Jōdo Shinshū holds that the deceased becomes a Buddha immediately, so 「御仏前」 is used even at the wake and funeral. If you don't know the sect, 「御香典」 is the safe choice. Use 「御玉串料」 for Shinto and 「御花料」 for Christian funerals.

Why is kōden written in pale ink?

It expresses the feelings that "tears of grief diluted the ink" and that "news came suddenly and there was no time to grind the ink fully." Write the outer envelope of a wake or funeral with a pale-ink brush pen; the inner envelope may be written in regular black for legibility. For memorial services from the 49th day, the date is known in advance, so dark ink is usual.

Is ¥20,000 rude as a wedding gift?

Even numbers are generally avoided because "divisible" suggests "parting," but ¥20,000 is increasingly accepted as a "pair." If it bothers you, you can use three bills: one ¥10,000 note and two ¥5,000 notes. ¥80,000 (suehirogari, "widening") and ¥100,000 are also used for celebrations.

Should I write the street number on the inner envelope in kanji numerals?

When writing vertically, yes. "1-2-3" is usually written as 「一ー二ー三」 or 「一の二の三」, "12番地" as 「十二番地」, and a room number like "101" as 「一〇一」. Enter your address and it is converted automatically and can be copied.

In what order should joint names be written?

Below the mizuhiki on the outer envelope, arrange them from the right in order of seniority. If there is no hierarchy, use the gojūon (Japanese alphabetical) order. Up to three names is the guideline; for four or more, write the representative's name and 「外一同」, and put a separate sheet with everyone's names and addresses in the inner envelope. For a married couple, it is usual to write the husband's full name in the center and only the wife's given name to its left.

How to Write Gift-Money Envelopes (Shugi-bukuro & Kōden-bukuro) | Convert the Inner-Envelope Amount to Daiji and Preview

Q: How do I write ¥30,000 on the inner envelope?

It is common to write 「金 参萬円」 vertically in the center of the front of the inner envelope. For a more formal look, write 「金 参萬圓也」. If the inner envelope has a printed horizontal amount box, write the amount in Arabic numerals like 「¥30,000-」.

Q: For a ¥5,000 kōden, should the inner envelope say 「伍阡円」 or 「五千円」?

Both are used. Writing 「金 伍阡円」 in tamper-resistant daiji is the more polite way, while 「金 五千円」 is sometimes used on simple envelopes or between close relations. If you are unsure, 「金 伍阡円」 is never rude.

Q: How do I write ¥100,000 in daiji?

It is 「金 壱拾萬円」. Some people omit 壱 and write 「金 拾萬円」. ¥1,000,000 becomes 「金 壱百萬円」. The quick-reference chart tab lists how to write amounts from ¥3,000 to ¥1,000,000.

A tool for checking the "correct way to write" right before you fill out a gift-money envelope. Enter the amount and it converts the inner-envelope amount into daiji (壱・弐・参・伍・萬); choose an occasion and it shows the omotegaki (寿, 御霊前, 御仏前, 御玉串料, 御花料, etc.), the mizuhiki color and knot, whether to use pale ink, whether to prepare new bills, the direction of the bills, and how to fold the outer envelope. Enter a name and address and it converts the address numerals into kanji numerals for vertical writing (1-2-3 → 一ー二ー三) and builds vertical-writing samples of the outer envelope, the inner envelope front, and the inner envelope back, which you can save as images. It also includes warnings about amounts to avoid (4, 9 and even numbers), typical amount guides, a daiji conversion table, and a quick-reference chart by amount.

ABOUT

About How to Write Gift-Money Envelopes (Shugi-bukuro & Kōden-bukuro) | Convert the Inner-Envelope Amount to Daiji and Preview

This tool for writing shugi-bukuro (celebration envelopes) and kōden-bukuro (condolence envelopes) is for checking, just before you write, "how do I write the amount on the inner envelope?" and "is the omotegaki 御霊前 or 御仏前?" Enter the amount to give and it converts the amount for the inner envelope into daiji (formal numerals that are hard to tamper with: 壱・弐・参・伍・拾・阡・萬), displayed as 「金参萬円」, 「金伍阡円」, or 「金壱拾萬円」. Choose an occasion from wedding gifts, childbirth gifts, admission gifts, housewarming gifts, sickbed visits, recovery thank-you gifts, kōden (Buddhist, Jōdo Shinshū), memorial services, Shinto, Christian and ofuse, and it shows the omotegaki, mizuhiki color and knot, whether to use noshi, whether to use pale ink, whether to prepare new bills, the direction of the bills, and how to fold the outer envelope. Enter a name and address and it converts the address numerals into vertical-writing kanji numerals and builds vertical-writing samples of the outer envelope, the inner envelope front, and the inner envelope back, which you can save as images.

How to use How to Write Gift-Money Envelopes (Shugi-bukuro & Kōden-bukuro) | Convert the Inner-Envelope Amount to Daiji and Preview

1On the "How to Write the Envelope" tab, choose an occasion such as a wedding or kōden
2Choose the omotegaki (寿, 御霊前, 御仏前, etc.) and the mizuhiki color
3Enter the amount to give as "30000", "3万" or "参萬円"
4Choose how to write the inner-envelope amount (standard daiji, old-form kanji, or simplified kanji numerals) and check the warnings about 4, 9 and even numbers
5Enter the name(s) for the outer envelope (one per line for joint names) and the postal code and address for the inner envelope
6Write while looking at the samples of the outer envelope, inner envelope front and inner envelope back. If needed, use "Save as image" to keep them on your phone
7Use "Checklist before wrapping" to check ink darkness, new bills, bill direction and folding

Great for

Writing 「金参萬円」 on the inner envelope for a ¥30,000 wedding gift
Checking how to write a ¥5,000 kōden on the inner envelope (金伍阡円 / 金五千円)
Looking up how to write ¥100,000 in daiji (金壱拾萬円)
Checking whether the omotegaki for a wake is 御霊前 or 御仏前, including for Jōdo Shinshū
Writing 「御玉串料」 for a Shinto funeral or 「御花料」 for a Christian one
Converting the street number on the back of the inner envelope (1-2-3) into kanji numerals
Checking in what order to arrange names when giving jointly with a spouse or friends
Writing the amount on a receipt or contract in daiji (金壱萬伍阡円也)

Good to know

Daiji uses 壱 (一), 弐 (二), 参 (三), 伍 (五), 拾 (十), 阡 (千) and 萬 (万). 四, 六, 七, 八, 九 and 百 are generally written as ordinary kanji numerals.
In daiji, 壱 is not omitted before 拾, 百 or 阡 (¥100,000 → 金壱拾萬円). Many people also write 「金拾萬円」, and neither is wrong.
Adding 「也」 is optional. It is often added for ¥100,000 or more, when you want a more formal look, and on receipts and contracts. 「圓」 is the old form of 「円」.
Address numerals are converted positionally up to two digits (12 → 十二) and digit by digit from three digits (101 → 一〇一). You can also choose digit by digit throughout. For hyphens in street numbers, you can choose 「ー」 or 「の」.
The omotegaki, mizuhiki, ink darkness, bill direction and amount guides follow commonly taught conventions. They may differ by region (e.g. yellow-and-white mizuhiki in Kansai), sect and family custom, so when in doubt, ask relatives, the funeral home or the venue.
Warnings are shown for amounts containing 4 (death) or 9 (suffering) and, for celebrations, for evenly divisible even numbers (except 2, 8 and 10). A warning also appears for combinations that would make 4 or 9 bills.
The sample characters are drawn in your device's Mincho font. Use them as a guide for layout and size when writing with a brush pen.
Names and addresses are used only inside your browser and are neither saved nor sent. The share URL contains only the occasion, omotegaki, mizuhiki and amount.

Questions this tool answers

Use How to Write Gift-Money Envelopes (Shugi-bukuro & Kōden-bukuro) | Convert the Inner-Envelope Amount to Daiji and Preview for searches like these:

I want to know how to write the amount on the inner envelope in kanji numerals (daiji)
I want to know how to write ¥30,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000 and ¥100,000 in daiji
I want to know how to use omotegaki such as 御霊前, 御仏前 and 御香典 for kōden envelopes
I want to know the omotegaki for Shinto and Christian funerals
I want to convert the address numerals on the back of the inner envelope to kanji numerals
I want to see a sample of how to write shugi-bukuro and kōden-bukuro
I want to know when to use which mizuhiki color, and musubikiri versus chō-musubi
I want to know the direction of the bills and whether to use new bills
I want to check which amounts to avoid (4, 9 and even numbers)
I want to know the daiji amount to write on a receipt

FAQ

How do I write ¥30,000 on the inner envelope?: It is common to write 「金参萬円」 vertically in the center of the front of the inner envelope. For a more formal look, write 「金参萬圓也」. If the inner envelope has a printed horizontal amount box, write the amount in Arabic numerals like 「¥30,000-」.
For a ¥5,000 kōden, should the inner envelope say 「伍阡円」 or 「五千円」?: Both are used. Writing 「金伍阡円」 in tamper-resistant daiji is the more polite way, while 「金五千円」 is sometimes used on simple envelopes or between close relations. If you are unsure, 「金伍阡円」 is never rude.
How do I write ¥100,000 in daiji?: It is 「金壱拾萬円」. Some people omit 壱 and write 「金拾萬円」. ¥1,000,000 becomes 「金壱百萬円」. The quick-reference chart tab lists how to write amounts from ¥3,000 to ¥1,000,000.
How do I choose between 御霊前 and 御仏前?: In Buddhist rites, 「御霊前」 is usual before the 49th day (wake and funeral) and 「御仏前」 for memorial services from the 49th day onward. However, Jōdo Shinshū holds that the deceased becomes a Buddha immediately, so 「御仏前」 is used even at the wake and funeral. If you don't know the sect, 「御香典」 is the safe choice. Use 「御玉串料」 for Shinto and 「御花料」 for Christian funerals.
Why is kōden written in pale ink?: It expresses the feelings that "tears of grief diluted the ink" and that "news came suddenly and there was no time to grind the ink fully." Write the outer envelope of a wake or funeral with a pale-ink brush pen; the inner envelope may be written in regular black for legibility. For memorial services from the 49th day, the date is known in advance, so dark ink is usual.
Is ¥20,000 rude as a wedding gift?: Even numbers are generally avoided because "divisible" suggests "parting," but ¥20,000 is increasingly accepted as a "pair." If it bothers you, you can use three bills: one ¥10,000 note and two ¥5,000 notes. ¥80,000 (suehirogari, "widening") and ¥100,000 are also used for celebrations.
Should I write the street number on the inner envelope in kanji numerals?: When writing vertically, yes. "1-2-3" is usually written as 「一ー二ー三」 or 「一の二の三」, "12番地" as 「十二番地」, and a room number like "101" as 「一〇一」. Enter your address and it is converted automatically and can be copied.
In what order should joint names be written?: Below the mizuhiki on the outer envelope, arrange them from the right in order of seniority. If there is no hierarchy, use the gojūon (Japanese alphabetical) order. Up to three names is the guideline; for four or more, write the representative's name and 「外一同」, and put a separate sheet with everyone's names and addresses in the inner envelope. For a married couple, it is usual to write the husband's full name in the center and only the wife's given name to its left.

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