Omiyage and the Art of Presentation
One of the best things I remember as a kid growing up in Japan was the tradition of gift-giving. Called omiyage, it is the presenting of special gifts to friends, coworkers, and family upon returning from a trip, as well as when one is invited into a friend's home for a party or dinner: the presenting of a special gift is considered proper etiquette. Besides the gift being special, and often expensive, the object was often wrapped in elegant washi—paper printed in beautiful colors and patterns, which was folded around the gift box, similar to the complex folding of an origami bird. Even before the gift was opened, one knew that the object...