Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-07-29
japanese BctrOthaIs.

Japanese BctrOthalS.
The lower orders of the Japanese cmpoy
some married couple to make matches for their
sons, and these agents are called nahodos or go.
betweens Betrothal sometimes takes place il
the Infancy or childhood Of parties, bat it i,
very often deferred till they are old enough to
wish to have some voice in the matter them
selves, which, however, is denied them if they
have parents living. When, by reason Of the
death Of his parents young mau is l'ftlree t"
manage the matter in his OWL behalf, he choo'
es pair of 20. betIecns from among the iii MS
or acquantanocs and, through them. maxi:
icquiries for suitable helpnate, and ~heu they
report the discovery of one, be sends them 10
solicit her hand of her parents,
| II the proposal suitslher parents the bargain
is made, and, by their connivancc, meeting Is
arranged to take place between the young rco
pie at some tea house, unless they already
| KNOW each other by sight, where the bctrothcd
| can only cast sly glances at each other, but are
permitted to hold no conversation, as that, in
| the present state of affairs, would be breach
or Japanese etiquette.
In arranging matters for the widdiog, fixing
| the day, etc., other 60 bctweers are employed,
whose office expires only when the two arc mad
one. First. the young bridegroom sends 'l,
60 betweens with the presents TO the hIldr
eleot These may consist of variety OF things.
varying according to the taste or ability o! the
| bridegroom or his parents, provided only tha,
certain things are included 10 the number; a,
| for instance. some edible seswccd aud noshi, ,cr
| stripes Of dried and powered awabl. The pre-.
paration Of tho latter is made chiefly 10 the d.
| partment OF Ise. Ifnoshi canuot be obtained,
kind Of dried fish will answer the purpts'.
| But, whether the Drnsnnts be few or mary tn:
bridegroom must send Wrlttcu list VI snc ar
tices along with them, for which spccli d
form is furnished in the Japanese works on the
subject.
These presents being received, aud the wci
ding day being fixed between the btidc's la
rents and tho 20 betweens, nothing rema ms tI
! be done but to await the appointed time. Mean
while the bride and her family arc occupied in
preparing the numerous presents to be mad 'y
! them to the paronis and relatives OF :hc bfI&;
groom on the night Of the weddiag,
In the evening Of the day g:t '.c III" ~ 1.il
ceremony, the bride, dressed tl.rlu ;h92: u
white (thG color Of mourriug IN .lap1n.) |, =
corted in the kanco or noriceoo lpaiarq!rr by
| her parents and invited rciA,izrs 10 the i'oGs:
| OF tho bridegroom. At the prc~G1s 1Iy "he |,
| met 10 the entrance Of the hue ~ C:.5.I'
| females employed to receive hrr, rs!!eI RI
| 100 roo, who conduct her lutu Il elaEr a!:.gt
mcnt where she takes a little lart. K "fru.''
bc stated that she lc!l her talhc: hc9>H ':..i:V
| her head covered with aaJ' .-i, :. ca, "a +
of floss silk, which entirely c5uc a. the h;,'i
and face from view, AMI - n"> re'pD'Hn G@!''
| she mas become a vie. y, Eru d oaGI s::' E..-@
has elapsed for the LIjic 70 r-irr,.. h~'' =.
both she ana the groom lrecc', rrr4;r.. 70
| ! bo has n IN q IL.
| self at one end Ut ,.c Ukor"u.-. l. - %!
open closet or recess - +" WlIl g;IYai'" - u
entrance, which is cousiErrci 81, iEa:: :>-.."
| ablo place in the Japanese h,G,r, anH '..t
| young lady takes bcr seat a the orpJ7!t" ''r
of the tokouoma. The 20 h-:"c,a. "i.G ~
down, the mail by the bri? ,.oou, 2"I ,t:"
female by tho bride Two Other att,rIa'.'.
male and female, usually young p.Ea9@a, each
bearing o vessel with long ha6dIc. used d. :,
receptacle for saki arc likewise present to val,
upon the bride and bridegroom aGd Il their
cups.
The long handled TASKS have paper butter
fly fastened to each; large aud small one rep
resent o malc and female butterfly. The tl
tendauts who bear them arc therefore called hy
these names, and tho ideas expressed by the
symbol is, that as butterflies always 80 10 pairs.
90 tho husband and wifi, should accompany
Between the bride and groom Is placed a
tray bearing three laquercd cuIs, onc upon al
other, the smallest at the top. The two bu!
te,flies pour little saki from both their sk4
iuto the uppermost cup, while the bridegroom
holds it to be filled, grasplDg it With both hanis
He then sips the vice three times 10 Is vc'y
allow, formal manner. and passes the cup to ID"
bride, who takes it in her hands and take =
three similar sips, under cover Of her v,l,
when she hands the cup to the female buttcItj
who sets its aside. The second cup and the
third are filled and cmpted 10 like manner ="
that each party drinks nine times.
Hence the ceremony is called san khn-AL!''
and forms the most important part OF tho hu1,
VIE While this drinkingls gong on, one ol
two male singers are seated behind the E(r. III
, the same room, chanting Songs of conhf"'u''-
| ton TO the happy pair.
They are now married, and the brld' ana
groom proceed TO another room whGrG d';r Wy Ev
sebi together; nominslly. but not really gong
. Ihrongh the san. ssn-kudo again. After thn'
g thev are conducted 10 another room, where the
bride he5 Hs sna oa@ys a' and The
Z 1room puts on the Kamishimo, or Japanese 'u'
II d,ess. distinguished by the wing.like SHOULDER
9 pieces and full trowsers. and then again III y
It drink TO each other three times three cups; !!
Il natural congratulallon ~ tue nappS SNa"kS '''
has come over them, as indicated by their chang
Of dre.s.
This being done, there follows feast TO q
the house who assemble in one room, and ro
g.le themselves with the fare that is get beior
Them; and having Kept up, the festivities u.
= about the dawn Of day. tho wedding paIni
oe breaks up Three days after the bride ,t usus',
pays visit to her own parents. ~hen Ia,;rI ahuiI
OF the famy sro rs invite nvitsd HencefoEh ho
~ as is were into the family OF her husband and
have surrendered her relationship to her islnsp
nd house. Her duty to her tather, inlaH ou =