Sharp County record., 1878-10-24
MARRIAGE In JAPAN.
Professional Match ch-Makers--Betrothals I'm
Intancy-Othtr Peculiar Customs.
TErpp, tho Tononaso T{,noo

From the Japanese Times.
The lower order of the japanese en-
ploy some married couple to make
matches for their sons, and these agents
are called nakodos or go-betweenS. Be-
trothal sometimes takes place in the in
fancy or childhood of parties, but it is
very often deferred till they are old
enough to wish to have some voice in
the matter themselves, which, however,
is denied them if they have parents liv-
ing. When, by reason of the death of
his parents, young man is left free to
manage the matter in his own behalf, he
chooses a pair of go-betweens from
among the friends or acqualntances,
and through them makes inquiries for
suitable helpmate, and when they report
the discovery of one, he sends them to
solicit her hand of her parents.
If the proposal suits her parents the
bargain is made, and by their cOnniv-
ance a meeting is arranged to take place
among the young people at some tea
house, unless they already know each
other by sight, where the betrothed can
only cast sly glances at each other, but
are permitted to hold no conversation.
as that in the present stage of affairs
would he breach of japanese eti-
quette.
In arranging matters for the wedding,
fixing the day for it, ETC., other go-be-
tweens are employed, whose office ex-
pires only when the two are made one.
First, the young bridegroom sends the
go-betweens with the presents to the
bride elect. These may consist of a
variety of things, varying according to
the taste or ability of the bridegroom,
or his parents, provided only that GER
tain things are included in the number;
as, for instance, some edible seaweed,
and noshi, or strips of dried and pow
dered awabi. The preparation of the
latter is made chiefly in the department
of Ise. If noshi can not be obtained,
kind of dried fish will answer the pur-
pose. But, whether the presents be
few or many, the bridegroom must send
a written list of the articles along with
them, for which specified form is fur
nished in the japanese works on the
subject.
These presents being received, and
the wedding-day being fixed between
the BRIDES parents and the 60 be-
tweens, nothing remains to be done but
to await the appointed time. Meanwhile
the bride and her family are occupied in
preparing the numerous presents to be
made by them to the parents and rela-
tives of the bridegroom on the night OF
the wedding.
In the evening of the day set for the
nuptial ceremony, the bride, dressed
throughout in white (the color of
mourning in Japan, is escorted in the
kango or norimOn palanquin) by her
parents and invited relatives to the
house of the bridegroom. At the pres
ent day she is met in the entrance OF the
house by certain females employed to
receive her, called machi-ioO-roo, who
conduct her into separate apartment
where she takes little rest. 1t should
be stated that she left her fathers house
having her head covered with wata-
booshi, cap made of floss silk, which
entirely conceals the head and face from
view, and is not removed until she has
become wife. When sufficient time
has elapsed for the bride to refresh her.
self, both she and the bridegroom pro-
ceed separately to the best room, where
the young man seats himself at one end
of the tokonoma, sort of open closet
or recess in the wall opposite to the en-
trance, which is considered the most
honorable place in the japanese house.
And the young lady takes her seat at
the opposite end of the tokonoma. The
go-betweens also sit down, the male by
/ the bridegroom and the female by the
bride. Two other attendants, male anu
female, usually young persons, each
bearing a vessel with long handle,
used as a receptacle for sake, are like
wise present to wait upon the bride and
bridegroom and fill their cups. The
handled TASKS have apaper butter
fy fastened to each; large and small
one represent a male and female butter
fy. The attendants who bear them are
therefore called by these names, and
the idea expressed by the symbol is,
that as butterflies always 60 in pairs, so
the husband and wife should accompany
each other through life with like con-
stancy. .
Between the bride and groom is plac'
ed a tray bearing three lacquered cups
one upon another, the smallest at the
top. The two butterflies pour little
sake from both their TASKS into the up
permost cup, while the bridegroom
holds it to be filled, grasping it with
both hands. He then sips the wine
three times in very slow, formal man
ner, and passes the cup to the BRIDE
VINO takes it in her hands and takes