shochuumimai (暑中見舞い): "summer messages"; "summer greeting cards"
As with reijou (thank-you cards) and nengajou (New Year cards), the sending of summer cards is a long-standing tradition in Japan. While not as popular as New Year cards, many companies and other organizations send summer cards out of cultural obligation.
Within the Takarazuka fan culture, a fan may receive a summer card after writing a letter to a star during the summer months. This is not always the case, however, especially with popular stars who have large fan clubs. Particularly among formalized clubs for top or nibante stars, there may be additional requirements for a club member to receive summer cards. For example, they may be expected to order tickets through the club (see kaiseki), contribute sashi-ire, and/or actively participate in iride in order to get one. Due to these and other reasons, international fans may or may not receive summer cards.
The older and more popular the star, the less likely it is that the summer card will be signed. Some, however, may have a pre-printed signature and message. Younger stars may include hand-written messages. On the other hand, young stars can be more irregular about sending summer cards, as opposed to the reliable efficiency of a club. Stars who are busy performing during the summer may send a performance reijou that doubles as a summer card.
Related Links:
aisatsu
As with reijou (thank-you cards) and nengajou (New Year cards), the sending of summer cards is a long-standing tradition in Japan. While not as popular as New Year cards, many companies and other organizations send summer cards out of cultural obligation.
Within the Takarazuka fan culture, a fan may receive a summer card after writing a letter to a star during the summer months. This is not always the case, however, especially with popular stars who have large fan clubs. Particularly among formalized clubs for top or nibante stars, there may be additional requirements for a club member to receive summer cards. For example, they may be expected to order tickets through the club (see kaiseki), contribute sashi-ire, and/or actively participate in iride in order to get one. Due to these and other reasons, international fans may or may not receive summer cards.
The older and more popular the star, the less likely it is that the summer card will be signed. Some, however, may have a pre-printed signature and message. Younger stars may include hand-written messages. On the other hand, young stars can be more irregular about sending summer cards, as opposed to the reliable efficiency of a club. Stars who are busy performing during the summer may send a performance reijou that doubles as a summer card.
Related Links:
aisatsu