Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Greeting
初節句、誠におめでとうございます。お健やかなご成長を心よりお祈り申し上げます。 — Heartfelt congratulations on the first Sekku festival. I sincerely wish for the child's healthy growth. (Cultural · Greeting, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
初節句、誠におめでとうございます。お健やかなご成長を心よりお祈り申し上げます。
はつぜっく、まことにおめでとうございます。おすこやかなごせいちょうをこころよりおいのりもうしあげます。
Heartfelt congratulations on the first Sekku festival. I sincerely wish for the child's healthy growth.
Romaji: Hatsu-zekku, makoto ni omedetou gozaimasu. Osukoyaka na goseichou wo kokoro yori oinori moushiagemasu. / Reply Romaji: Arigatou gozaimasu. Okagesama de minna genki desu.
Reply
ありがとうございます。おかげさまでみんな元気です。
ありがとうございます。おかげさまでみんなげんきです。
Thank you very much. Everyone is well, thanks to you.
Gesture & etiquette
Hand gift envelope or small wrapped present with both hands, bow about 30 degrees. If invited to view the dolls, admire without touching: 「立派なお雛様ですね」. Take a group photo with the doll display if asked.
「初節句」 (hatsu-zekku) is the baby's first Sekku festival: girls (March 3rd, Hinamatsuri—display hina-ningyo dolls) or boys (May 5th, Tango—display kabuto helmet or musha-ningyo dolls, raise koinobori). Gifts: traditional dolls from maternal grandparents, or cash gift (御祝, 5,000-30,000 yen). Held to pray for healthy growth.