SHIKISHI
Posted on 04. Sep, 2006 @ 3:18 am by harvey in Culture, Society
SHIKISHI
I’m sure MANY English teachers in Japan know about this little piece of Japanese culture.
The SHIKISHI 色紙。
The Shikishi is a card usually given to people at farewell parties（送別会）. The card will have the recipients name in the center, surrounded by kind words, and farewell messages from all their friends.
Giving and receiving these Shikishi is a really big deal in Japan. I have never formally taught English in Japan, but I would imagine that foreign teachers would receive them on their last day of school from students almost without fail.
Here is one I received from my office peeps after I recently quit. （なつかしい！）
Here is another I received from my guitar classmates. (I’m learning classical guitar! In case ya didn’t know!)
I have also heard that the SHIKISHI may be given at graduation… But otherwise other than at farewell parties it is rarely used.
SHIKISHI are very similar to a simple farewell card back in the States, but something about the fact that the Shikishi is completely blank until the friends begin writting, and that it is on stiff cardboard so it can be displayed easily long term makes it special.
Surprisingly, JLIST has these Shikishi for sale! They have one shaped as a soccer ball, and another specifically for baby celebrations. I have never seen these for sale in the states before. It would be cool to get one and surprise a Japanese friend living abroad, by having a bunch of gaijin sign it and prsent it as a going away present or something.
なんで色紙知ってんの！？
Is what they would say. Yup.
- Harvey
5 Responses to “SHIKISHI”
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Chivey
Sep 4th, 2006
at 10:16
会社の同僚からもらった色紙と、ギタークラスの人からもらった色紙の写真が反対ちゃうか？
mdchachi
Sep 4th, 2006
at 11:27
Yeah that was my first thought too. Why does the one from your “office” talk about guitars…
harvey
Sep 4th, 2006
at 16:38
Fixed the mixup! Sorry!
ginpei
Sep 5th, 2006
at 21:01
Hi
The SHIKISI is one of the heart-warming Japanene culture,you know…How did you feel recieved those cards above,Harvey?
I have the SHIKISI as well,received from football team-mates at Ritsumeikan University, this is really special for me.
harvey
Sep 6th, 2006
at 12:25
Ginpei! What’s up? I like SHIKISHI. They remind me of something we do in America on sports teams… On the last day, or during the last game or something… The team members will all sign their names and write messages on a white tshirt and give it to the player.
It’s kinda like a wearable Shikishi….