Incorporating traditional Japanese wedding rituals into a modern day ceremony can be a nice way to honor the bride’s and/or the groom’s families. Japanese traditions are rich with meaning and significance and modern Japanese couples are still making them part of their special day. Even those who are not of Asian descent may want to include elements of the Japanese traditions in their celebrations.
The Engagement
The engagement of a Japanese woman was formal event called yunio. This ceremony is a time to give gifts wrapped in elegant papers that signified a happy and prosperous life full of children for the couple. Once the couple was engaged, the formal preparations could begin.
The Bride
A Japanese bride is a lovely sight as her face and body are painted white to symbolize not just purity, but the death of her old life. For the Japanese woman, she is dying to her old life as a daughter and being reborn as a wife. She wears a white kimono called a shiro-maku (two Japanese words meaning white and pure) with a hood and an elaborate headpiece. The groom wears a black kimono with his family’s crest embroidered on it, a striped undergarment and white sandals. While the groom spends the day in his formal attire, the bride changes several times. One of her outfits is a maiden’s kimono, the last time she’ll be able to wear it.
The Shrine
Most Japanese weddings are held at a Shinto shrine. Shinto is the most prevalent religion and the word means “the way of the Kami” or gods. Most event venues have a special shrine set up for this purpose. Both families face each other as they are making a pledge to join together with the other. The highlight is the ceremony called san-san-kudo, the drinking of 9 sips of sake. The bride and the groom must each drink nine sips and then pass the cups to their families who must do the same. Ku, the number nine, figures throughout Japanese culture as a number bringing luck. After the ceremony, each father presents their child formally and twigs called sakaki are exchanged as offerings to the Kami gods.
The Food
Japanese weddings are banquets rich with tantalizing foods. Lobster may be served for its red color symbolizing luck. Clams may be served with both halves together as a symbol of the happy couple. There would never be exactly four or any multiple of four courses, however, because the Japanese word for death sounds like four. The meal is designed to shed wishes of light, happiness, fortune and children onto the couple and every food is symbolic.
The Crane
Most Japanese wedding incorporate some form of the crane. The bird has long been a symbol of long life and good fortune for the Japanese. The long-legged and graceful bird is seen in symbols and may be used as part of the wedding reception décor. Often, 1,001 origami cranes done in gold are created to bring blessings and honor and joy to the couple.
The Gifts
Traditionally, guests are asked to come with a monetary gift called oshugi, and sometimes the amount required is even written on the invitations. The cash gift is place in an envelope called a shugi-bukuro and left at the guest book area with a designated collector. The generosity is balanced out, however, by the tradition of the bride and groom giving their guests parting gifts of high value called hikidemono. There are often gift catalogs from which the guests can choose their own souvenir.
The Cost
Many modern Japanese couples are forgoing the full traditional Japanese wedding, as cost is a contributing factor. In order to rent the proper Shintu shrine, the wedding costumes, provide the required gifts and the food and drink, the total price tag is quite high. Instead, many couples today choose a few traditions from among the many and include them in the celebration.
Whether you move forward with the full ceremony or you simply incorporate pieces, Japanese wedding traditions can make for a beautiful day.
