The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-11-13
MARRIAGE CEREMONY IN JAPAN.


groom is usually decorated with
lanterns and other evidences of
festivity, which draw all the people in
that part of town to witness the
brides arrival. She is met outside
the entrance by the members of the
groom's family. But he is seated on
a cushion in front of the tokonoma,
shallow recess or alcove that is found
in all japanese houses and is used for
the display of ornaments. When she
enters the room she is escorted to
seat beside him. The nakodos sit at
his right and at her left are usually
two married ladies or two little girls
dressed in white, who serve as brides
maids.
When the party is all placed Choir
us OF voices in the adjoining room sings
japanese song called "Utai." A
low table of white wood, that has
| never been used, is then brought in,
and tray is placed upon 1t contain
ing three cups, which one OF the
bridesmaids fills with sake. The lat
ter hands the smallest cup to the
bride, who takes three dainty sips of
wine and then passes it to the groom,
who follows her example. The Sec
ond and third cups are filled in SINH
lar manner and the ceremony is re-
peated. As the groom returns the
third cup to the bridesmaid all clap
their hands, which is a salute of APP
probation announcing that the cere-
mony is over.
Their is no kissing or embracing,
but great many congratulations are
offered to the young couple and
guests of literary attainments are ex'
pected to hand them poems of their
own composition, which are afterward
bound in a little book as n memento
of the occasion. The couple then re-
tire to put off the wedding robes and
resume their ordinary garments, and
afterward join the guests at feast
which is served with great ceremony
The CONGRATULATIONS are then renewed
and include the parents and relatives
of the couple, and everybody drinks
to the health of the bride and groom
Sometimes the feasting continues yer,
late and often ends in carousal, bu
before the guests retire they repea
their congratulations, as is customar.
in other countries.
Among the common people the mar
riage ceremony is considerably modi
fed. Bridesmaids are omitted ant
the nakodos, the gentleman sitting a
the right of the groom and his wifi
at the left of the bride, fill and pas
the cups of sake; but there is alway
a supper of some kind and plenty t
drink, if the food is only rice an
salted fish and the liquids only tea.
On the third day after the weddin
the bride returns to her fathers hous
to stay three or seven days, as the cas-
may be, during which time her fathe
invites the friends of both families
usually those who have been guests q
the wedding-to big feast. If th
first three days of married life are nc
satisfactory to the bride. she notifit
the nakodos of that fact and does NJ
return to her husbands home. whic
is equivalent to divorce. If the hu
band is dissatisfied he notifies the make
dos, and they are expected to con
municate with the brides parents.
a divorce is insisted upon by eith'
party it must be accepted by the othe
but such a proceeding is seldom r
sorted to except where misrepresent
tions have been made as to the temp
tand physical condition of either part
10 II the bride or groom proves to be d
m formed or diseased IN any manner
IT divorce is considered honorable al
Legitimate, and it is only necessary
,g register the fact at police headqus
Or ters.
or After the ceremonies are conclud
IL the bride separates herself entire
I'd from her own family and becomes
o. much identified with the family of b
b. husband as if she were born intoit. s
a is not expected to inherit any OF b
be fathers property, although he m
nd leave her legacy it he desires to do
s's Nor is it necessary for father to 81
oh his daughter dot upon her marriaf
nd although it is often done. 1t is usual
d. part OF the original arrangemel
Ip- aud the amount is settled between t
he parents and the nakodos.
he
all The annual profit Of the Suez Ca