What is a spring wallet? The wishes contained in a wallet and the beginning of spring

What is a spring wallet? ──The wishes contained in a wallet and the beginning of spring

Spring is the season of new growth. As the plants awaken and the air softens, people begin to feel hope for new beginnings. It is during this season that the words "spring wallet" reach our ears quietly but with a definite power.

A "spring wallet" is a wallet purchased in the spring. It is not just a seasonal feature, but has long been popular as a lucky charm for increasing financial luck, based on the pun that "a wallet that is "full" = filled with money and bulging."

However, there is a deeper cultural meaning and history behind this word.

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The origin and auspiciousness of the spring wallet

"Spring wallet" is a pun on the phrase "a wallet full of money." A wallet that is "full" means that it is filled to the brim. It has been believed that starting to use a new wallet in the spring will bring good fortune and prosperity for the year.

This custom is also found in the merchant culture of the Edo period. In the trading towns of Osaka and Edo, there was a custom of "hatsukai" (first purchase) and "hatsuni" (first delivery) of purchasing new tools at the beginning of the year. Wallets were also one of the tools used to pray for prosperity in business. It was believed that purchasing a new wallet in the spring would bring good fortune.

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When is "spring" for spring wallets?

So, when does the "spring" in "spring wallet" refer to?

There is no clear definition, but there are several ways to think about it:

• From the beginning of spring (around February 4th) to the vernal equinox (around March 20th) • From the New Year (January 1st) to the vernal equinox • From the Lunar New Year (Lunar New Year) to the awakening of insects • Cherry blossom season from March to April

Although it differs depending on the region, family, and religion, what they all have in common is the symbolism of spring, such as "new beginnings," "budding," and "rebirth." Purchasing a new wallet not only brings good fortune in money, but also serves as a time of spiritual adjustment.

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Auspicious days and spring wallets: Ichiryomanbai Day, Tensha Day, and Tora Day

When purchasing a new wallet for spring, many people are concerned about the "auspicious days." The following three days are considered the best days to start using a new wallet.

• Ichiryu Manbai-bi (One Grain, Ten Thousand Times Day)
It is said that a single grain of rice will bear ten thousand times as much fruit on this day. It is believed that small actions will bring about great results, making it the perfect day to start something new.
• Tensha Day
It is said that this is the most auspicious day on which heaven forgives all sins. It is a precious day that only comes around a few times a year.
• Tiger Day
This is a day that is associated with financial luck. Tigers are said to travel a thousand miles and return a thousand miles, and it is said that money that has gone out will be returned.

The days when these auspicious days coincide are considered to be the "most lucky days," and are often chosen as the days to purchase or start using a spring wallet.

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The Etiquette of Receiving a Wallet: The Beautiful Custom of "Laying It Down"

When you get your spring wallet, do you know the custom of letting it "sit" instead of starting to use it right away?

This involves putting money in the wallet and letting it rest quietly for a few days to a week, so that the wallet remembers that it always has money in it. It's an act of careful handling and preparation, just like welcoming a new family member.

Some of the ways to put them to sleep include:

• Put new bills inside (to keep the spirit pure)
• Wrap it in a gold cloth or bag (a color that attracts wealth).
• Place it facing north (the direction of wealth according to Feng Shui)

These actions are not merely superstitions, but have the significance of being "rituals" that regulate one's own consciousness.

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Spring wallet colors and materials: choose with meaning in mind

When choosing a spring wallet, the color and material also have meaning.

• Gold and yellow: Symbolizes good fortune and attracts wealth.
• Green: Growth, stability, and regeneration. The image of money growing.
• Black: The color of protection. Protects your assets.
• White: Reset and cleanse. Ideal for a fresh start.

Natural materials such as cowhide and cordovan are popular as "wallets that grow with you." The more you use them, the more they develop their own unique character, revealing a unique look.

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A spring wallet is an investment in the future

A spring wallet is not just an item to improve your financial luck. It is also a tool to adjust your own consciousness and reexamine how you want to live in the new year.

Purchasing a new wallet is an investment in the future. It is like a mirror that reflects your values ​​and aesthetic sense.

As we gently open our wallets in the spring light, what kind of harvest do we hope for in the coming year? Perhaps spring wallets are quietly asking us this question.