The Gift-Giving Etiquette of Japan
-When visiting a person’s home, a gift should be given to the host/hostess.
-Gifts should be unwrapped carefully in front of the giver. One should not rip open the wrapping; it should be carefully undone (Rationale: The Japanese history of origami and the love of paper).
-The numbers 4 and 9 are considered unlucky. Number 4 is “shi,” which is the same word used for “death”; and the number 9 is “ku,” which is the same word as “suffering.” Gifts in sets of four or nine, therefore, should never be given.
-Items should be given and received with both hands.