Small Money Envelope (Pochibukuro)

With a Small Token of Gratitude

From a young age, many of us have seen *Pochi-bukuro* envelopes during the New Year. They are used not only when giving New Year’s money (*otoshidama*) but have traditionally been used for handing over small amounts of money. Just as the Japanese phrase “koreppochi” means “only a little,” the word “pochi” carries the nuance of “a small, modest amount.”

In addition to enclosing gratuities, these envelopes are also useful for giving small items or attaching a short message to a gift. Unlike formal ceremonial envelopes, *Pochi-bukuro* are perfect when you want to convey a simple and modest feeling. They are not limited to New Year’s gifts—you’ll find many other occasions where they can be used.