The Florida agriculturist., 1889-12-11
A JAPANESE WEDDING.
SINGULAR SYMBOLIC RITES AT THE
TIME OF MARRIAGE.


are Occasions of JoIIity.
In the dusk of evening the bride, in
carriage, surrounded and followed by
train of uplifted lanterns, proceeds to the
bridegroom's house. Hurrah for Hymenl
Every chamber and every room, from
nook to corner, the whole house is mer-
rily lit and ablaze with a forest of
candles. Upon the altar of family wor-
ship, unseen gods seem to assemble, de-
scending the beams of ficker;ng lights
and graciously accepting the joyful
offerings of game of the mountains,
fishes of the seas and the first growths
of the earth. Hurrah for the holy.
union!
Yonder in the best hall Of the house,
the candles, larger than mans arm,
blithely spread their rays over the new
carpets, the new ceilings, the new doors,
and the new walls; 4and in deep cut
niche there hangs silken panel whereon
stand a venerable couple of snow
crowned ages, under an evergreen
bower of stalwart pine, .praising the rise
of yonder sun, emblematical Of happy
union, pure life, old age, and increasing
health. To it's left another hangs with
picture of a snow white crane leisurelv
contemplating the serene blossoms of
the ume suggestive of chaste lofti-
ness of philosophic salvation.
On the right hand side the third panel
represents tortoise, covered with sea-
weeds, trailing like long tassels of golden
oolY fnxr fy1l
bamboo trees, famous for their pliable
but unbreakable strength - the whole
symbolizing the meek but uncrushable
virtue and slow but sure triumph of
righteousness. Then in the center of the
hall, on small lacquered table, are dis
played heaps of Kombu, seaweed of
great tenacity and duration, and of other
Vegetables, equally emblematical of vari-
Gus human virtues, skillfully piled and
carved into shapes of prospering pine
tree, a pair of cranes, their nest and
nestiings, and so on-indicating the happy
future of the union which is now going
to be made.
But hushl here comes Mrs. Nakaudo,
the earthly representative of the god
Hymen, leading by the arm the bride,
so fair and SO modest, blushing under
silken veil; they pass in solemnly through
the guests door and seat themselves be-
fore the symbolic table. Three minutes
later, Mr.. Nakaudo leads in the bride
groom, who takes his seat opposite the
bride; and Mr.. N opposite Mrs. N. These
are truly man and wife of estimable
character and are the mutual friends of
the bride and bridegroom's parents or
guardians, honored by the latter with
the trust of officiating at the holy cere-
mOny.
Well, then, the Ms introduce the young
people each to the other. Inaudible ac-
acknowledgements and solemn bowling on
both sides fellow. Then Mr.. N. proceeds
to declare the duties of man and
wife, and of their welded life-a solemn
declaration, uttered in slow, soft, but
penetrating tone. A funny sight, how
ever, looked from its funny side-two
men and two women sitting cross legged
on the carpet, numbling gravely over
heap of tasteless weeds and roots! But
to see the matter so funnily one must be
funny creature too. Looked at from
the serious side, how much more pro-
found in it's truth than in mere show
of ceremony
"Henceforward you are husband and
wifer' So says our Nakaudo; and they
become husband and wife. They do not
exchange promises, nor do they grasp
each other by the hands.
"Henceforward you are husband and
xUifer" So commands the Nakaudo and