Japanese money envelope

Keywords :

Wedding - Asian style - Envelopes - Cardboard paper - Techniques de Pliage

When gifts of money are given in Japan, as is often the case on special occasions such as weddings and at New Year to children, the money is not just handed over but offered in a beautiful money envelope or 'kinpu'. There exist thousands of different designs, ranging from the simple to the downright exravagant and costly. Turn your gift of money into a special looking present by making this Japanese money envelope.

Supplies

Tools

Ruler
Glue stick
Pencil
Scoring implement

Materials

2 colors of scapbooking paper or Japanese 'washi' paper (main color A3, other color A4)
Ribbon or Japanese mizuhiki cord
Strip of decorative paper at least 19cm long
A sheet of A3 white paper

Directions

Make a simple white envelope

If you don't have a suitable envelope, follow these steps to make one yourself.

Cut out a 32cm x 9cm (16 inches x 3.5 inches) rectangle of white paper.
Fold in 1cm (0.5 inches) at the bottom, left side and right side, and stick them down.

Pass the glue stick along the left and right sides, NOT along the bottom.
Fold the paper almost in half by bringing up the bottom to the top, leaving 2cm (1 inch) at the top.

Fold in 1cm (0.5 inches) from the top and stick down.
Fold in the top corners and stick them down.

Make the Japanese money envelope

Cut out a 24cm x 24cm (9.5 inches x 9.5 inches) square of the main colored card.
Divide the square into 3 sections, each 8cm (3 inches) in width, with light pencil marks.
Lightly score along these lines.
Draw a horizontal line 8cm (3 inches) from the bottom of the square and lightly score along it.

Cut out the shaded squares.
Cut out a triangle 4cm (1.5 inches) deep, 1.5cm (0.5 inches) in from each side.

Flip over the paper.
Draw a neckline shape around the triangle, lightly score along these lines.
Cut out an 8cm x 16cm (3 inches x 6 inches) rectangle from the other colored paper and glue it on.

Flip it over.
Place the white money envelope containing the money in the center.
Fold in where you have scored the paper starting with the bottom flap first, then the facing left flap, and finally the facing right flap.

Wrap the decorative paper around the envelope and glue it at the back, but NOT to the envelope, so that it can slide off.
Wrap the ribbon or mizuhiki cord around the decorative paper and tie a bow at the front.