Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-11-20

pie could not do such thing; they are
always endeavoring to preserve their
reputation on account of their social
standing.
Our marriage ceremony is also distin-
guished from that of other nations. The
celebration of a marriage ceremony is re-
qulred not by law, but by society There
are several forms, but usually the first
step is "yuino," or the exchange of
presents at the time of the espousal, Gus
tomarily fish, belt, fan, money, etc.,
which consists of seven articles, as the
number of seven is considered fortunate
one among all classes. After the ex-
change of presents of ''yuino," a few
days are suffered to elapse and then is
celebrated the marriage ceremony. This
IS not to be performed in the chuich,
but takes place in the house, as the peo-
pie think the church is a place for funer-
ais and not for merry making. The ex-
pense of the ceremony varies according
to the social standing of the parties. At
the present time the ceremony is to be,
performed by the minister or public no.
tary and attended by the relatives,
friends and large numbers of other peo-
pie.
Alter the ceremony refreshments are
served, at which time an oath is taken
by the betrothed couple before the
mediators, such an oath being called
''san-san-kudo, which literally transla-
ted means three times three is nine. This
oath is said to be purified by the drink
ing of certain wine called sacred wine.
The gentleman takes the first swallow,
then the lady the next, and so alternat-
inc nl -, a.. Al.
tleman taking the last drink, drinking
in all nine times. The quantity, one
cupful, is equal to tablespoonful.
The bridal party do not take the honey
moon until two or three days after.
the wedding day. The wedding dress
of the lady is quite interesting. 1t is,
white, this signifying purity and chastity.
After the ceremony the dress is changed
for black one, which signifies that sim
liar to black it can be changed to an
other color, and that she will always re-
main true to her husband until death.
In the ancient times some curious customs.
prevailed, among them shaving the eye
brows and breaking the teeth but these
are gradually being abolished. The we'd
ding costume of the men is almost uni
form.
BY virtue of the marriage the women
take the name of the husband, unless a
man marries an only daughter of an an
cient family. Then in order to keep up
the family name, he assumes that of the
wife. All the personal property can be
transferred to him, but not the realty.
However, there is no equitable settlement
or dover right, but the courts will oblige
the husband to support and maintain
the wife according to his social standing.
The liability of the husband and wife is.
fixed by the usage or equitable justice of
our country.
The duty of the wife is to do the
housework and support his or her parents
according to our customs. The married
couple very seldom separate from the
parents, but live near them, but not in
the same house. When the parents be-
come old and feeble, the children are
obliged to make them a comfortable
| home called "Inkio,n which literally
translated means resting place. This
is customarily built in the same place by
| the son. At n certain age the parents
generally turn over as a gift their entire
property to their son.
At this date many married women in
Japan are working in shops as dress
makers or entertainers of guests. Their
amusements are principally music, which
are played on several varieties of instru-
ments as the koto, samson or koque, etc.
OF all the instruments the samsen, q
stringed instrument somewhat similar to
the guitar, is the most popular on ac-
count of its low cost.
The honeymoon Of the newly married
couple generally consists in a journey to
the theatre or to a hot spring resort. In
Japan there are large number of these
natural hot springs, which have fine
hotels connected with them, such as
cannot be found in America to my
knowledge. They are always crowded
with visitors, and one can find many
strangers who come from all countries.
One of these is an interesting place for
! an American to visit who wishes to study
the behavior of our people when on their
wedding trip, it not only being very
popular, but also quite inexpensive,
board only being 81 or So per week.