Gift Day (Gifuto no Hi)

What Is Gift Day?

July 7 is "Gift Day" in Japan, a commemorative day established to promote the importance of gift-giving as a way of connecting people's hearts. The date comes from Tanabata, the Star Festival, when the legendary lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi are said to meet once a year.

The Origins of Gift Day

Gift Day was established in 1987 by the All Japan Gift Goods Association (Zen-Nihon Gift Yōhin Kyōkai) to commemorate its incorporation as an association. Because Tanabata is the day when the Cowherd (Hikoboshi) and the Weaver Princess (Orihime) meet once a year, July 7 was chosen as a day for gifts that connect people.

• Date: July 7
• Established: 1987, by the All Japan Gift Goods Association
• Origin: Tanabata is the day Orihime and Hikoboshi meet once a year

The Role of Gift-Giving Culture

A gift is more than just an exchange of objects -- it's a way of conveying emotions such as gratitude, celebration, and encouragement, and this kind of giving is deeply woven into Japanese society. In Japan, gift-giving culture is closely tied to seasonal events and major life milestones.

• Ochūgen and oseibo (traditional mid-year and year-end gift exchanges)
• Birthday and anniversary gifts
• Milestones such as starting school, graduation, and starting a new job

The Connection Between Tanabata and Gift Day

Tanabata is known as the one day a year when the separated lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet. This image of "a day when people meet and are connected" overlaps with the idea of a gift -- giving physical form to a feeling and delivering it to someone. The custom of writing wishes on tanzaku also shares something with gift-giving, in that both put feelings into words or form.

The Place of Gifts in Modern Society

Today, the focus has shifted beyond the material value of a gift to questions like "why am I giving this?" and "what feeling am I trying to convey?" Gift Day is positioned as an opportunity to reconsider the relationship and context between giver and recipient.

The Significance of Knowing About Gift Day

• Understand the origins of Japan's gift-giving culture.
• Learn about the cultural connection to the Tanabata festival.
• Reconsider the meaning of "giving" within human relationships.

A Day to Convey Feelings

July 7's Gift Day isn't about the gift itself, but about the feelings and context behind it. Learning about its origins offers a deeper appreciation of the gift-giving culture rooted in Japan.