It¡¯s that time of year again, when Japanese people get out their lists of friends and business acquaintances in order to send out ÄêÙR×´ (²Ô±ğ²Ô²µ²¹Âá¨), postcards that deliver seasonal greetings and well wishes for the new year. But some fear this tradition may soon disappear altogether.
According to recent reports, more and more people have been purchasing stamps and stickers that read ÄêÙR×´¤¸¤Ş¤¤ (²Ô±ğ²Ô²µ²¹Âá¨-jimai), which essentially announce the sender is opting out of the ÄêÙR×´ custom. You¡¯ll find them stuck to the final ÄêÙR×´.
The suffix ¡«¤¸¤Ş¤¤ (~jimai) comes from the verb ÊËÎ褦 (shimau), which means to put something away or to terminate it. The suffix is also seen in the words µê¤¸¤Ş¤¤ (mise-jimai, going out of business) and Ť¸¤Ş¤¤ (haka-jimai, dismantling a family tomb/grave).
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