Modern Japanese Marriage a Japanese culture

JAPANESE WEDDINGS

MODERN JAPANESE MARRIAGE

Mi-aiWhile it is true that more and more young men and women are united in marriage on their own will through love, the practice of “Mi-ai” is still widely observed to end in a happy married life for many. “Mi-ai” is an interview for a man and woman with a view to marriage, as arranged by their parents or a third party acting as a go-between. It is proposed with due consideration to social backgrounds and other factors of the prospective bride, bridegroom and their families. It is not compulsory on either of the parties concerned to accept such “Mi-ai” as a promise for marriage.

Yui-noThe “Yui-no” betrothal is a serious step in a Japanese marriage. A “Nakodo” go-between makes certain of a proposed marriage by the ceremonial exchange of drinks with the bride side immediately upon acceptance of the proposal. “Yui-no” is the exchange of various items between two families concerned assuring the engagement to be followed through.

Go-betweens are often selected more for ceremonial purposes. They may be elderly couples known and close to either or both of the families to be united in marriage. In the picture above the go-betweens can be seen one of each side of bridal couple, with the parents on the outside. This clearly indicates their historical importance.

Wedding CeremonyThe Shinto wedding is performed before a Shinto sanctuary. Many hotels and restaurants are equipped with a special room for wedding ceremonies. A wedding is usually attended by members of both families, close relatives and the go-betweens.

“San-san-kudo,” a ceremony of three-times-three exchange of nuptial cups, is performed by the bridegroom and bride. Drinks of “Sake” are then exchanged between members and close relatives of the both families to signify their union through the wedding.

A Shinto wedding is accompanied by the traditional music and attended by “Miko” maidens who serve “Sake” in red and white dresses. The exchange of wedding rings is also a popular practice today. The bridegroom and bride proceed to the sanctuary to offer twigs of “Sakaki” sacred tree in worship to gods to end the main part of the wedding ceremony. It is a short service, simple in procedure but full of solemn atmosphere.

Wedding Receptions
[](/culture/images_marriage/masako_ 01.jpg)The usual procedures in wedding receptions have a go-between introduce the bridegroom, bride and their family backgrounds. A Japanese wedding reception is a colorful affair, particularly with young friends of the bride attending in beautiful “Kimono”. Married women in black formal dresses have multi-color design on the “Kimono” skirts to be no less attractive than single women.

The traditional costume as worn by the bride is perhaps the most colorful element in the reception. Big “Kanzashi” ornaments as worn by the bride in the hair, done in the old fashion, are hidden under the “Tsuno Kakushi” hood. It is meant to hide “Tsuno” or horns to show obedience. A white gorgeous “Uchikake” gown is common as the first costume. During the course of the reception the bride is led out to change her dress. The second wedding dress is colorful “Uchikake” gown and is just as beautiful and elaborate as the first one. Red and white are a happy color combination in Japan, and are abundantly used in a wedding.

A further change of dress for the bride is then undertaken. The third one is usually a western style wedding dress. Some people will change to another western style dress.