The Japanese custom of sending written new year’s greetings dates back to at least the Heian era (794-1185) when the nobility started to write such letters to people who lived too far away for the usual face-to-face new year greetings. When Japan's postal service followed Europe's lead and created postcards in 1871, they were the ideal match for these greetings, which only required the writing of "Happy New Year," one's name, and an address.
