Japanese Letter Writing

I have a bit of a problem. I recently lost the the key to my (university-owned) dormatory - no problem, they have a spare. But I have to write a letter in Japanese explaining how it happened and apologising for it. That's fine, I can write a letter in Japanese. The issue is that I have no idea who is actually going to be reading this (other than they're going to be some higher-up at university).

How do you start a formal letter in Japanese when you don't know who you are sending it to? How should I finish it?

Thanks.

 

Good question and one I don't really know the answer too. When I write to a Yahoo Auction seller and they don't tell you their name, I just use their account name followed by sama. Or if it's a shop I'm buying from I just write the shop's name followed by Sama. Example - ファミコンワールド様。 I guess you could do the same for the Uni but I really wouldn't know.

Yakumo

 

I'd use the common "Haikei" to begin the letter, and "Keigu" to end it.
No need for a name with those, and they are quite polite.

http://japanese.about.com/od/grammarlessons/a/101401.htm

 

There is a painful pattern one must follow (as per what T_chan) said. Honestly, I couldn't write a formal letter in Japanese if the fate of the planet depended on it.

 

^so true, my teacher once showed me an example of his regular mail correspondence. First paragraph was pretty much just ''We are forever indebted to you'' and shit.

Just use the gaijin card and try to be as formal as possible, maybe get a friend/teacher to help you a bit.

 

You can use "haitei" (拝呈), which is kind of a general (yet polite) way to start a letter. If the letter is targeted to more than one person, you can use 各位 (kakui) as well.

 

Oh yeah, as for finishing, you can throw a 拝具 (haigu) down at the bottom, and you should be good.

 

If the bits in the middle (IE, keigo) aren't followed it will sound a little silly though. I vote for the gaijin card.

 

Perhaps, but I've never found one. On a serious note though, an apology goes a long way here, and you almost always need to write some type of letter when you lose something. It is a shame-inspiring culture. A friend lost her gaijin card and had to write an apology letter to the fucking ward office. I mean seriously... they wonder why horny salarymen never grow out of their lolita phase.