A guide to Japanese letter writing etiquette, including seasonal greetings and opening/closing phrases.
Overview
Japanese Letter Writing
Japanese letter writing is a cultural practice that reflects traditional aesthetics and etiquette. It requires selecting appropriate expressions based on the season and relationship with the recipient, including seasonal greetings, corresponding opening and closing phrases, and the structure of preface, main text, and closing remarks. Knowledge of proper usage for various situations such as business correspondence, personal letters, and ceremonial occasions is essential.
letter writing
etiquette
seasonal greetings
business correspondence
manners
Japanese culture
| code | slug | name | description | closingPhrase_casual | closingPhrase_formal | openingPhrase_casual | openingPhrase_formal | seasonalWord | items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | january | January | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for January. | We look forward to your continued friendship this year as well. | Please take good care of yourself during this severe cold. | The cold has become especially harsh; how are you doing? | In this season of severe cold, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | early spring, new spring, severe cold, midwinter, plum blossoms | |
| 02 | february | February | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for February. | Please stay healthy as you feel the arrival of spring. | The lingering cold seems to continue; please take care of yourself. | We hear news of plum blossoms these days; how are you doing? | As spring approaches, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | toward spring, beginning of spring, lingering cold, late winter cold, plum blossoms | |
| 03 | march | March | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for March. | Please enjoy going out, invited by the spring weather. | We pray that happiness will visit you along with spring. | It has become warmer with each rainfall; how are you doing? | In this early spring season, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | third month, early spring, spring warmth, awakening of insects, rapeseed rain | |
| 04 | april | April | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for April. | We pray that the new fiscal year will have a wonderful start. | It is easy to feel unwell during the cold snap; please take care of yourself. | Cherry blossoms are in full bloom now; how are you doing? | In this sunny spring season, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | sunny spring, spring sunshine, spring in full bloom, young grass, cherry blossoms, cold snap | |
| 05 | may | May | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for May. | In this season where fresh greenery catches the eye, please enjoy going out. | It is a refreshing season; please be more active than ever. | It has become the fragrant month of May; how are you doing? | In this season of fresh greenery, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | fresh greenery, fragrant breeze, beginning of summer, young leaves, fifth month | |
| 06 | june | June | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for June. | We pray that you can enjoy even rainy days. | During this cool rainy season, please be careful not to catch a cold. | It is a gloomy rainy season; how are you doing? | In this early summer season, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | early summer, rainy season, grain in ear, start of rainy season, hydrangea | |
| 07 | july | July | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for July. | Hot days continue; please take good care of your health. | During this unbearably hot period, please take good care of yourself. | The heat after the rainy season is especially intense; how are you doing? | In this midsummer season, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | midsummer, intense heat, severe heat, minor heat, Tanabata | |
| 08 | august | August | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for August. | We feel a hint of autumn in the mornings and evenings; please take care. | During this severe lingering heat, we pray for your good health. | Tropical nights continue every day; how are you doing? | In this season of lingering heat, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | late summer, midsummer, lingering heat, beginning of autumn, early autumn | |
| 09 | september | September | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for September. | Even in September, the lingering heat continues; please take care. | They say summer fatigue appears in autumn, so please be careful. | It has become a season where the sound of bell crickets can be heard beautifully; how are you doing? | In this early autumn season, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | early autumn, fresh coolness, white dew, refreshing autumn, long month | |
| 10 | october | October | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for October. | Welcome the season of autumn leaves and enjoy going out. | Please enjoy the autumn of tastes and outings with your family in good health. | It has become the height of autumn; how are you doing? | In this clear autumn season, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | autumn coolness, clear autumn, cold dew, autumn leaves, beautiful autumn | |
| 11 | november | November | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for November. | It has become a season when we miss the kotatsu; please take care. | As cold weather approaches, please be especially careful of your health. | We have welcomed the season of autumn leaves; how are you doing? | As cold weather approaches, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | late autumn, deep autumn, approaching cold, beginning of winter, remaining chrysanthemums | |
| 12 | december | December | Seasonal greetings and closing phrases for December. | As the year draws to a close, we express our gratitude for the past year. | We pray that you and your family will welcome the new year in good health. | There are few days left in the year; how are you doing? | In this busy year-end season, we are delighted to hear that you are in good health. | early winter, year-end rush, year's end, heavy snow, cold | |
| S01 | opening-phrases | Opening Phrases | Greeting words used at the beginning of a letter. | [{"phrase":"拝啓","usage":"一般的な手紙","closingMatch":"敬具"},{"phrase":"拝呈","usage":"目上の人への手紙","closingMatch":"敬白・拝具"},{"phrase":"啓上","usage":"一般的な手紙","closingMatch":"敬具・敬白"},{"phrase":"謹啓","usage":"改まった手紙","closingMatch":"謹言・謹白・頓首"},{"phrase":"恭啓","usage":"改まった手紙","closingMatch":"敬具・謹言"},{"phrase":"粛啓","usage":"改まった手紙","closingMatch":"敬具・謹白"},{"phrase":"前略","usage":"略式・緊急の手紙","closingMatch":"草々・早々・不一・不尽"},{"phrase":"冠省","usage":"略式の手紙","closingMatch":"草々・不一"},{"phrase":"拝復","usage":"返信の手紙","closingMatch":"敬具・敬白・拝具"},{"phrase":"復啓","usage":"返信の手紙","closingMatch":"敬具"},{"phrase":"謹復","usage":"改まった返信","closingMatch":"敬具・謹言"},{"phrase":"再啓","usage":"追加分の手紙","closingMatch":"再拝"},{"phrase":"追啓","usage":"追加分の手紙","closingMatch":"敬具"}] | |||||
| S02 | closing-phrases | Closing Phrases | Closing words used at the end of a letter. | [{"phrase":"敬具","usage":"一般的な手紙（最も一般的）","openingMatch":"拝啓・拝呈・啓上・謹啓"},{"phrase":"敬白","usage":"目上の人への手紙","openingMatch":"拝呈・啓上"},{"phrase":"拝具","usage":"目上の人への手紙","openingMatch":"拝呈・拝復"},{"phrase":"謹言","usage":"改まった手紙","openingMatch":"謹啓・恭啓・謹復"},{"phrase":"謹白","usage":"改まった手紙","openingMatch":"謹啓・粛啓"},{"phrase":"頓首","usage":"改まった手紙（最も丁寧）","openingMatch":"謹啓"},{"phrase":"草々","usage":"略式・親しい人への手紙","openingMatch":"前略・冠省"},{"phrase":"早々","usage":"緊急の手紙","openingMatch":"前略・急啓"},{"phrase":"不一","usage":"略式の手紙","openingMatch":"前略・冠省"},{"phrase":"不尽","usage":"略式の手紙","openingMatch":"前略"},{"phrase":"かしこ","usage":"女性が親しい人への手紙","openingMatch":"前略"},{"phrase":"再拝","usage":"追加分の手紙","openingMatch":"再啓"}] |