Noshigami
What is "Noshigami" ??
In Japan, when someone has a big event, we give them a gift or money.
For example, celebrations such as getting married, giving birth, opening a new shop, finding a job and some things, sad things such as funerals and memorial services, hospitalisation etc...
Basically, Noshi paper is the paper used to wrap gifts or money for those things.
Most noshi paper comes with a Noshi and a Mizuhiki tied together. The "Noshi" is the decoration in the upper right-hand corner of the paper.
The "Mizuhiki" is a string made of Japanese paper (和紙:Washi in Japanese), often red, white or gold for congratulatory occasions.
A similar paper called "Kakegami" is used for mourning and visiting a patient in hospital. But the colour of the mizuhiki differs and there is no noshi attached.
There are also rules about how many mizuhiki to use, whether to use real or printed mizuhiki, and the rules may vary from region to region. So you should ask someone who knows how to use it if you want to try to use Noshi paper!!