TOKYO — An anonymous donor has left money in public lavatories across Japan totaling more than $200,000. The first cases were reported in April, but a newspaper said yesterday that there had been at least 33 cases from Sapporo to Nagasaki, more than 1,000 miles to the south, in the space of a few weeks.

The pattern is so uniform that observers believe that a single person is behind the mysterious disbursal. A single 10,000-yen note, worth about $80, is left with an oddly formal letter, hand-written with a calligraphy brush on expensive paper usually reserved for ceremonial occasions such as weddings.

The letter is addressed to “you who have come here today” and asks the visitor to accept the money as a token of gratitude and use it “for your training.” The author writes: “Do not think of bad things, have a pure heart and be encouraged in all manner of good deeds.” The letter concludes with a request to “please be happy.”

Up to 10 envelopes have been left at each reported location, but a note asked that each person take only one each. The money has been left in the men’s lavatory of town halls and other civic facilities. Under Japanese law, money that is handed in to police is given to the finder if not claimed within six months.

Japan has had several cases over the years of large sums of money being found in public places, including among thrown-away old clothes, and remaining unclaimed. However, it is usually assumed the money was hoarded by an elderly person who either subsequently forgot where it was kept or died without telling relatives. Japan has been baffled and fascinated by the energetic and deliberate distribution of money. A handwriting expert noted that certain words in the letters, such as “heart” and “feelings” were enlarged, suggesting the writer wished to stress his sincerity.