Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-05

vi theiE customs ana those prACIlCeu IN
our quarter of the world.
In TACT. the general air or resemblance
lades away when we look into some of the
"DETAILS OF The three great events of life
ulrtn, death and marriage-and find how
stran gely they are conducted by the in
habltants of the Eastern kingdom.
rake, for example, their marriage Gus
toms. A Japanese gentleman about to
marry may be influenced in his choice by
all OF The many motives which influence
gentlemen in Europe. His way OF making
known his intentions to the family of the
lazy ne has chosen, however, in no way
resem bles ours. for all he does is to affix
Ihe branch of certain shrub to her
Istders house. If is accepted, so is the
lover; II no notice is taken Of 1t he with
draws his suit
Ii affection has drawn him to the maid
en-, and she wishes to show MIN that she
reclprocates his feeling, she blackens her
Teeth, and they remain black for the rest Of
ner lie; and, at later stage of the pro-
ceedlngs she will pluck out her eyebrows.
we must suppose that the gentleman ap-
preclates these marked proofs of her de-
VVoCion; but imagine an English woman
olackenlng he teeth or pluobing out her
eyebrows In order to gain favor in the
eyes OF the man she loves.
W men the branch is accepted, that ter
ride routine of ceremonies commences,
10 comprehend which in Japan demands
the study of lifetime, and the patien ce
and long-suttering Of martyr to perform,
mere ls ceremOniOus appointment OF
the male friends of the bridegroom and
female friends of the bride, and cere-
monlcus meeting between them to ar
range the terms Of the marriage contract,
ana select two suspicious days, one for a
ceremonlous interview between the atii-
ance0 pair and the other tor the GROWING
ceremony--the wedding.
Let not the uninltIated suppose. now
ever, that "crowning" is synonymous
with 'cOncluding." 1t is rather the
grand inaugural ceremony, and signifies
that from henceforth until the time when
the poor worn out frame Is carried to its
last home, no event of lite, important or
unlmportant, shall be passed over without
It's appropriate ceremony.
A Japanese lady ia not exactly pur-
chased from her father. Still, very costly
presents are expected for u handsome
daughter-the best the bridegroom can
afford in any case. These presents, which
are sent TO the lady, are at once made
over to her parents, and are kept by
them. They in return send some articles
OF trlf1lng value to the bridegroom. Next
comes the ceremony OF burning the child
ish toys of the bride; then that of prepar-
ing her rousseau, which includes articles
OF household furniture, all the requisites
1of Kitchen, aspinning- wheel and a
loom.
Some authors maintain that marriage
IN Japan is only a civil contract, unac-
companied by any religious solemniZa-
ton. Others say that there is a religious
ceremony, and that the marriage must be
registered in the temple to which the
VOllnV npnnil hnInnn
dictions are there pronounced by the
priest, and there is formal kindling of
bridal torches, the BRIDES from the altar
and the bridegroom's from the brides
after this they are proclaimed to be mau
and wife.
Now begins the business OF the day.
Inc bride, with her black teeth, is dressed
In white. and when she leaves her fathers
house she is covered from head to feet in
the garment which is to be her shroud.
In this plight she is seated In palanquln
and carried forth to parade the greater
part of the town, escorted by her family
and friends. When she reaches her hus-
bands house two of her youthful friends
accompany her to the stateroom. These
friends answer to our bridesmaids' and
are called the male and female butterflies.
In this stateroom sits the bridegroom, in
the seat of honor, with mis- parents and
nearest relations; and there are two
tables in the apartment very deliberately
arranged. On one of them is a miniature
representation of a fir-tree, emblematic of
mans strength; of a plum-tree in bios
som, the emblem OF woman's beauty; and
OF cranes and tOrtoises, the an blems of
long life and happiness. On the other
table stands all the apparatus for drink
ing saki, the national stimulant. By
this, the bride In her shroud and the at
tendant butterflies take their places; and
then commences the pouring out, present
ing and drinking OF saki amidst FORM
alities numerous and minute beyond
description. When the drinking is at last
over, the wedding guests make their APP
pearance, and the evening is spent in eat
ing and drinking. In Difference to the
frugality and simplicity of the early
Japanese, the wedding feast consists of
simple fare.
Three days after this the bride and
bridegroom pay visit TO the lady's
family. The bride then plucks cut her
eyebrows, and the wedding ceremonies
are finally over.
1t constantly happens that fathers in
Japan, worn out by the YeXations,
burdens, and restrictions attached to the
condition of head of a family, gladly re-
sign this dignity to the son, either as
soon as be is OF an age to assume the posi-
ton, or at his marriage. Thenoeforward
the father, his wife, and younger children
become dependent on the eldest son.
The march Of w Western civilization, and
the general imitation OF Western manners
which have progressed at such wonder.
full rate in Japan, have already driven
most or these old customs into remote
corners Of the country, and soon, no doubt,
they will be as extinct as many Old-fash-
iOned once flrmly-rooted customs have
become with us.