Naming a Gift in Japan — Entrusting One’s Feelings to a Name

In Japan, inscribing a name on a gift has long carried a special meaning.
It is not merely a way to indicate ownership, but rather an act of thoughtfulness — a way of honoring the recipient and expressing care for their presence.

At important milestones and celebrations, it was customary to have names added to cloth items and share them as commemorative gifts. Cloth, after all, is something that stays close to everyday life and is used over time. By placing a name upon it, people conveyed wishes such as “May this moment be remembered” or “May this happiness be shared.”

Naming a gift is one of Japan’s uniquely gentle and heartfelt ways of giving.
Passed down through generations, this tradition continues today as a meaningful way to express special feelings, even as times change.

A Small Memory That Remains in Everyday Life — The Meaning of a Personalized Gift

A personalized gift transforms something “anyone can use” into something “made especially for you.”
Behind it lies the quiet story of having thought carefully about the recipient and taken an extra step just for them.

In Japanese culture, emotions are often conveyed not through strong words, but through actions and form. Naming a gift belongs to this tradition — it has the power to turn an ordinary item into a cherished keepsake.

Each time it is used, memories of the occasion and the person who gave it gently return, leaving behind small yet lasting reminders within everyday life.

That subtle sense of “this is mine” — personal, yet understated — may be why named gifts have been so deeply loved in Japan.

Writing Foreign Names in Kanji — A Distinctively Japanese Souvenir

When choosing a personalized gift as a souvenir from Japan, many visitors enjoy having their names written in kanji using ateji — characters selected for their sound and meaning.

Each kanji carries its own meaning, which makes them especially fascinating for those from non-kanji cultures. Beyond simply representing pronunciation, kanji allow names to be expressed with wishes, symbolism, and imagery, adding a sense of depth and story.

Selecting auspicious characters or beautiful meanings to match the sound of a name is itself part of the gift-making process. Some recipients have shared how delighted they were to discover “my name can be expressed in such a beautiful way.”

As a memory of one’s journey, or a gift from Japan, a personalized item — “made just for me in Japan” — becomes something that continues to tell its story long after the trip has ended.

Personalized tenugui featuring foreign names written in kanji. Gilles (慈琉), meaning “to cherish like a precious gem”; Matthew (摩秀), expressing “refining one’s excellence”; and Michaël (美蛙), meaning “a beautiful frog,” each paired with a favorite animal motif.

Ink colors for the name inscription were carefully selected to complement the hues of each Arimatsu Shibori tenugui, resulting in beautifully balanced finishes.

Foreign names personalized in hiragana on tenugui handkerchiefs, highlighting the soft and friendly nature of this Japanese script.

Sending Encouragement — Personalized Tenugui for Fan Support

In recent years, personalized tenugui have become increasingly popular as gifts for stage actors and performers.

Adding a name is a sincere and graceful way to convey encouragement.

Those who choose named gifts for their favorite performers often give remarkable thought to each detail:
Who is this character right now? What atmosphere does the stage embody?

From these reflections, they select colors that match the role’s image, patterns that symbolize the story, and finally inscribe the performer’s name.

What is expressed is a pure and heartfelt wish — “I want them to feel supported.”

A personalized tenugui becomes “the one chosen just for you,” giving form to that devotion.
In quiet moments between performances, the encouragement woven into the gift is sure to reach the performer’s heart.

Fan support through naming — a gift born from understanding, respect, and genuine admiration.

A personalized tenugui gift for a sea-themed stage performance, featuring a refined color palette that complements the Japanese aesthetic.

The designs of the tenugui were carefully selected to reflect the characters portrayed on stage.

A personalized tenugui featuring a seasonal design inspired by the time of the concert. The recipient later shared their delight at receiving the surprise gift on Instagram.

For Family Milestones — Personalized Tenugui That Preserve Precious Memories

Celebrating longevity, welcoming a newborn, or marking a child’s growth — these irreplaceable moments are filled with family love.

For longevity celebrations, auspicious motifs symbolizing health, happiness, and long life are chosen, accompanied by names and heartfelt wishes for continued well-being.

For newborns and children’s milestones, gentle patterns, zodiac motifs, and designs symbolizing healthy growth are often selected. Each reflects a parent’s hope that their child will grow strong and be surrounded by happiness.

A tenugui bearing a name and age quietly records the day and transforms emotions into a lasting keepsake.

Whether honoring long life or celebrating growth, these moments are treasures of family love. Each time the named tenugui is seen, memories return — along with hopes for happiness that continues far into the future.

A personalized tenugui gifted to a friend celebrating their 60th birthday. Beautifully finished, it also makes a striking piece of interior décor.

A personalized tenugui created as a gift for a family member celebrating their 88th birthday in autumn. Each time it is seen, it brings back memories of the autumn sky and a joyful commemorative day.

Personalized tenugui created for both home use and uchiiwai return gifts. Each piece becomes a lasting keepsake of cherished family memories.

One by One, with Care — Azabujuban AsanoHa’s Personalization Service

At Azabujuban Asanoha, we carefully personalize each tenugui to honor the feelings behind every gift.

Our service is available from just one piece.

Names or messages of up to six characters may be added using hiragana, katakana, or kanji. In addition to names, short messages such as ありがとう (arigatō, “thank you”) are also available.

Because we use in-house engraving plates, there is no additional plate fee.

Ink colors are proposed by our staff to complement the tenugui’s design, colors, and desired finish. Before production, you will receive a digital preview of the final result, allowing you to order with confidence.

Personalization turns a gift into a heartfelt expression.
We create each piece with care, hoping it becomes something truly worth giving.

Orders are accepted at our Azabujuban AsanoHa Flagship Shop and Asanoha Online Shop. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.