Is giving seaweed as a gift rude?

Introduction

It is sometimes said that seaweed is an inappropriate gift. However, this is a misunderstanding. Seaweed has been a familiar food to the 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 may be that seaweed is often chosen as a gift in return for a condolence donation, 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 chosen as a gift

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

1. Nori is a typical auspicious food

In fact, nori seaweed is one of the most auspicious foods, which is why it is highly valued as a gift, especially during the year-end and mid-year holidays.

Nori was once called "Unkusa."

The reason is that the method of producing nori was only discovered in the 1950s, and before that, the ecology of nori was not fully understood, and the harvest yield was unstable. It was truly something that could only be harvested if you were lucky.

For this reason, nori is considered a symbol of good luck and fortune, and even today it is often given as a gift to 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 ordinary people.

Moreover, its history is older than you might imagine, and it was even used as a tribute to the Imperial Court during the Asuka period.

And even in 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 seaweed keeps well and is a food that is easy to use on an everyday 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 meals.

summary

Nori seaweed has become a food that we often consume on a daily basis.

Therefore, some people may think, "Giving seaweed as a gift is a bit strange...", but 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 high-quality nori from a long-established company that is hard to buy for yourself, but is a delight to receive as a gift from someone else. We hope you will choose it as a gift for someone special.