The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-01-06
LOVE AMONG THE JAPS /.
Manifestations OF the Tender Pas
siOn-alarrfa.c Ceremonies.

Manifestations OF the Tender Pas.
siOn-a7arria.c Ceremonies.
The Japanese maiden is permitted her
first acquaintance with mankind at the
age of seventeen. At that age she is
permitted to walk or ride abroad with
| her mother or the ever present maid, and
feast her eyes. 'Tis then the young
eligibles of the male sex are permitted
to see her and know of her existence.
They may also learn who she is, but not
from her own lips. She is not permitted
to speak to any one, even if respectfully
addressed. When the eyes of young
nobleman fall upon maiden whom he
thinks he wants to wed he first tells his
father. No japanese, male or female,
would ever thiuk of matrimonial ven
ture without parental consent. The
father manages to communicate with the
/ lady's father. If agreeable to pursue
the matter further the son goes to call
on his father.in- -aw-elect. lie manages
to fling in word of compliment
of the lady, but not a syllable
concerning marriage is permissible. II
the father-in-law elect is pleased with
the appearance of his proposed son in
law he claps his hands, a servant ap-
pears whom he tells that he wishes some
tea or saki, as the case may DC, and he
wants his daughter to bring it. BY this
sign the young man knows that he has
won his suit. BY the same sign the
young lady knows the meaning of her
call. She enters, blushing scarlet, puts
down her tray, serves her father and his
guest, but not a word is spoken. If she
likes the appearance of her suitor she
NAV make a sleeps eye at him, but if
she be Indifferent she does not even
glance in his direction. In a few mo-
ments the suitor takes his leave. The
next day, if the families be those of
wealth and distinction. servant appears
at the brides house with the most costly
presents. For the bride rich and ele-
giant silken robes, one Of them white for
wedding gown; rich embroidered
girdle, a superb small sword, or dagger
levery japanese maiden Of rank carries
such a wcapon), and fan of the very
finest workmanship. For the father
there may come gold and silver mounted
saddles and brides, costly diamond
hiltcd swords, and for the mother the
richest slken robes and mantles. This
is the outward and visible signs of be-
trothal. The wedding invariably takes
place twenty-sevcn days after the be-
trothal
Up to 1874 there was no religious sig
nifcance to marriage in Japan, and
hence no religious ceremony. Ncr was
there any legal ceremony OBJ erved other
than the reporting of the event, with
the names of the parties, to the local
registrar of such contracts. Marriage
was purely family and social observ-
ance. The two families met at the house
of the bridegroom. Presents were given
and exchanged. Bridesmaids were the
celebrants, and two bottles of saki the
implements by which the hymenial chain
was forged. The families seated them
selves on mats in circle. The bride
and groom were led in and seated on
two mats in the middle. On one bottle
of saki male butterfly was attached by
delicate silken thread. A female but
terhy was similarly attached to the other
bottle. The bridesmaids put the two
bottles on a rich Iacquered tray, and be-
side them three little cups, piled one on
top of the other. The bride took one
cup, poured a little saki into it from the
female butterfly bottle. The groom
took the male bottle and poured lit
tie in from that. The bride took
three sips, the groom took three sips,
and then that cup was placed at the
bottom. A similar process was observed
with the other cups. This was called
"San-Sun-ku-Do, or three times three,
and at it's completion the ceremony was
over. During this, however, botn bride
and groom were clothed In their richest
robes. They were now husband and
wife, but much yet remained. Both
then retired to their respective apart
mcnts, changed their dress, and again
appeared. Here came the marriage feast,
and this lasted until midnight. At that
hour every soul had to leave-fathers,
mothers on both sides-everybody. The
bride and groom were left to finish the
feast as might seem to them best.
Neither could he seen again, even by
servants, for three days. Then the wife
emerged, and her first duty was to call
on her parents, and sometimes, in the
case of very wealthy people, she was
accompanied on this mission by pro,
cession of her husbands friends and
relatives.
In the lower or middle classes the
same observances were followed, though,
of course, governed by pecuniary circum-
stances. Sometimes, when the families
were poor, the parents, by gcnteel
fot;on winl,ed at m elonement of the