The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-09-11

Inc lower orders OF the Japanese
employ some married couples TO make
matches for their sons, and these agents
are called nakodos, or go-betweens.
Betrothal sometimes takes place in the
infancy or childhood Of parties, but il 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 q pair OF go-betweens from
among the friends and acquaintances,
and through them makes inquiries for q
suitable helpmate, and when they re-
port the discovery of one, he sends them
to solicit the hand of her parents.
If the proposal suits her parents the
bargain is made, and by their conniv-
ance meeting is arranged to take place
between 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 conversa-
tion, as that in the present state of
affairs would be a breach of Japanese
etiquette.
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 and ability of the bridegroom,
or his parents, provided only that GER
tain things are in the number; as, for
instance, some edible seaweed, and no.
shi, or strips of dried and powdered
awabi. The preparation of the latter
is made chiefly in the department of Use.
If noshi cannot be obtained, kind of
dried fish will answer the purpose.
But, whether the presents be few or
many, the bridegroom must send a writ
ten list of the articles along with them,
for which specified form is furnished
in the Japanese works on the subject.
These presents being received, and
the wedding-day being fixed between
the brides parents and the go-betweens,
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
relatives 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 mourn
ing in Japan), is escorted in the pango
or norimon (palanquin) by her parents
and invited relatives to the house of the
bridegroom. At the present day she is
met in the entrance Of the house by GER
tain females employed to receive her,
called machi joo-roo, who conduct her
into a separate apartment where she
takes little rest. 1t should be stated
that she left her fathers house having
her head covered with watabooshi, cap
made of floss silk, which entirely con-
ceals the head and face from view, and
is not removed until she has become O
wife. When sufficient time has elapsed
for the bride to refresh herself, both she
and the bridegroom proceed separately
to the best room, where the young man
seats himself at one end of the tokeno.
ma, sort of open closet or recess in
the wall opposite to the entrance, which
is considered the most honorable place
in the Japenese house. And the young
lady takes her seat at the opposite end
of the tokonoma. The go-hetweens, also
sit down, the male by the bridegroom
and the female by the bride. Two other
attendants, male and female, usually
young persons, each bearing a vessel
with long handle used as a receptacle
for sake, are likewise present to wait
upon the bride and bridegroom and fill
their cups. The long handled TASKS
have paper butterfly fastened to each
| Il L
and female butterfly. The attendants
who bear them are therefore called by
these names, and the ideas expressed
by the symbol is, that as butterflies
always go in pairs, so the husband and
wife should accompany each Other
through life with like constancy.
Between the bride and groom is placed
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 upper.
} most cup, while the bridegroom holds il
! to be filed, grasping it with both hands
He then sips the wine three times in 6
slow, formal manner, and passes it t.
} the bride, who takes it in her hands anC
] takes three similar sips under cover o.
her veil, when she hands the cup to the
female butterfly, who sets it aside. The
second cup and the third are filed ant
emptied in like manner, so that eacf
party drinks nine times. Hence the
, ceremony is called sGn-san-kudo, and
forms the most important part of the
nuptial rites, for it makes the parties
husband and wife. While this drinking
; is going ON one or two male singers ar,
} seated behind the screen in the sam,
room, chanting songs of congratulatiO1
to the happy pair. They are now mar
r ried, and the bride and groom proceed
t to another room, where they pay thei
, respects to their parents by drinking
sake together; nominally, but not really
going through the san-san-kltdO again