Is seaweed a rude gift? | Explaining the truth behind the rumor! Why seaweed is a popular gift choice

Introduction

Nori is sometimes said to be an inappropriate gift, but this is a misconception. Nori has been a beloved food among Japanese people for a long time, and is perfectly suitable as a gift.

Why did this misunderstanding arise?

Why is seaweed misunderstood as rude?

One reason for this is that seaweed is often chosen as a gift in return for a condolence gift, and so it has become associated with unfortunate events.

However, seaweed has long been considered a lucky charm and has been given as a gift at celebratory occasions. There are several reasons why seaweed is chosen as a gift.

Why Nori is a popular gift

The reasons why nori is chosen as a gift are its auspiciousness, history, and practicality.

1. Nori is a typical auspicious food

Nori is actually one of the most auspicious foods, and as such is a popular gift item, especially for year-end and mid-year gifts.

Nori was once called "Unkusa."

The method for producing nori was only discovered in the 1940s, but until then, the ecology of nori was not fully understood, and harvest yields were unstable. It was truly something that could only be harvested if you were lucky.

For this reason, nori is considered a symbol of good fortune and good luck, and even today it is chosen as a very auspicious gift for loved ones, with the hope that good fortune will come to you.

2. History as an "ultra-luxury item"

By the way, nori seaweed was once a "super luxury item" that was out of reach for the average person.

What's more, its history is even older than you might imagine, and it was even presented as a gift to the Imperial Court during the Asuka period.

And even during the Edo period, about 900 years later, nori continued to be presented as a gift to the Tokugawa family. In fact, Tokugawa Ieyasu was a big fan of nori, and it is said that this led to the spread of nori farming, centered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, during the Edo period.

3. High practicality

Nori has a long shelf life and is a food that is easy to use on a daily basis.

Another reason why it is chosen as a gift is that it is a food rich in nutrients, including protein, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from the elderly to small children, as a daily accompaniment to their meals.

summary

Nori is now a food that we often eat on a daily basis.

Therefore, some people may think, "Giving seaweed as a special gift..." However, high-quality seaweed has a completely different flavor and texture from the seaweed that can be easily purchased at supermarkets, and you can enjoy a special taste.

This is a high-quality nori seaweed from a long-established company that is hard to buy for yourself, but is a delight to receive as a gift. We hope you will choose it as a gift for someone special.