Be Culturally Inspired
MADDY KENNEDY
MADDY KENNEDY
Love and marriage is universal, however every culture has its own unique wedding traditions. The wedding day is an incredibly important day, as two people commit their lives to one another. Japanese weddings combine its rich heritage and history with a beautiful marriage ceremony that could be the perfect wedding for any bride.
Traditionally the Japanese culture considered marriage to involve the entire family. Therefore it was common for their nakoudo (match maker) to arrange the marriage between the two families. Once the marriage was approved, the groom would present gifts to the bride’s family. The Japanese consider some of these traditional customs to be outdated, however there are still many that are still practiced today.
Japanese wedding traditions are meticulously presented, relaxing and culturally inspiring. Wedding ceremonies were traditionally held at Shinto Shrines, these wooden goddess shrines are generally quite old and situated in wooded areas. Unfortunately this unique and quintessential tradition is very rarely practiced in current times. Instead, influences from western countries have swayed and over run these such traditions and majority of Japanese couples marry through a Christian style white wedding.
Wedding dresses are one of the most important pieces of preparing for the wedding. The dress must be perfect, as the bride wants to look gorgeous for her special day. White Kimonos with long, wide sleeves are the traditional type of dress worn by the bride during the ceremony. Throughout the wedding, the couple will often disappear for multiple costume changes. Two bridal headdresses, the wataboshi or the Tsunokakushi are worn by the bride, which symbolically covers her “horns of jealousy”.
A Japanese couple traditionally is given cash rather than gifts from each guest in order to help them begin their new life together. Many superstitions came with idea of gifts. The cash given to the couple must be mint notes and never to be in an even amount, as this can be symbolic of the couple splitting up. The money must not be in multiples of four as it sounds like the Japanese word for death. Return wedding gifts have always been apart of the Japanese culture, however traditionally the gifts were small, whereas today they range more in expense and extravagance.
Alcohol at a Japanese wedding is an essential part of the traditional wedding ceremony, sealed with the sacred exchange of sake. The custom of San-San-Kudo consists of the bride, groom and each of their families taking three sips of sake from three different sized cups. The significance of this custom is the first cup being symbolic of the first three couples. The second cup represents the three human flaws: hatred, passion and ignorance and the third is symbolic of the number 9 as the lucky number in the Japanese culture and deliverance from the three laws.
The reception is where the couple is introduced as husband and wife to their larger group of relatives and friends. The families are the host of the wedding and hence are seated in the worst seats at the back of the wedding whereas everyone else is an honoured guest and treated with high respect.
The couple will always invite their boss to the wedding, as the tradition of the osumitsuki requires official approval from a person of authority. In modern days the bride and grooms boss starts the speeches by congratulating the couple. Japanese weddings provide ranges of entertainment, however there is rarely dancing at a Japanese wedding. Recently it has become popular for the bride to read a letter thanking her parents for raising her whereas previously the groom would usually be the one to create a speech.
Plenty of courses are served at a Japanese wedding, but will never be served in a multiple of four due to the superstition. Dishes include Sekihan bean rice, Kombu seafood flavored clear soup, Kazunoko (a symbol of fertility in Japan and is the main reason for being served at a Japanese wedding). Others include Datemaki, a rolled omelet, Japanese sushi cakes and Daifuku a traditional sweet.
Deciding on the type of wedding that is best suited for you can be a very challenging decision, as you want your special day to turn out perfect. If you’re looking for a traditional cultural experience, a Japanese wedding might be the one for you.