The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-12

which is equivalent to an engagement.
and an early day Is selected for the we'd
ding. If the young lady should happen
to object. which Is not often the case. as
she Is guided entirely by the wishes OF
her parents In this and all other matters.
the nakOdo Is notified before an Oppor-
tunity to send presents is given.
When the day for the wedding Is Sc
lected the tcousseau Of the bride and
several articles of household furniture
are sent to her husbands home. and
they are usually exhibited to the friends
of the family beforehand The wedding
gown is always pure white, and the
bridegroom Is dressed in "kamishimo'
"a peculiar dress made Of varus kinds
of silk in colors according to his rank.
THE WEDDING.
The wedding ceremony takes place at
the house of the brdgroom's parents
and friends of both families are invit-
ed TO be present. The bride is escorted
there at nightfall by her parents and
other members of her family and the
nakodos. followed by servants bearing
gifts to the family of the bridegroom. 1t
was formerly the custom to light a bon
fire In front of the gate of her parental
home and lift her over it. This ceremony
meant publication. 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. a
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 a 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 bridesmaids.
When the party is all placed a chorus
of voices in the adjoining room sings
a Japanese song called "Utai." A low
table of white wood, that has never
been used. is then brought in. and a
tray Is placed upon 1t containing three
cups, which one of the bridesmaids fills
with sake. The latter hands the small
est cup to the bride, who takes three
dainty sips of wine and then passes 1t
to the groom. who follows the exam
pie. The second and third cups are
filled In a similar manner and the cere-
mony Is repeated. As the groom re-
turns the third cup to the bridesmaid
all clap their hands. which Is a salute
of appreciation announcing that the
ceremony is over.
KISSING NOT POPULAR.
There is no kissing or embracing, but
n great many congratulations are Of
fered to the young couple and guests
of literary attachments are expected to
hand them poems Of their own com>
position. which are afterward bound
into little book as a memento of the
occasion. The couple then retire to
put of the wedding robes and resume
their ordinary garments. and after
ward join the guests at a feast. which
is served with great ceremony. The
congratulations are there 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 very
late and often ends In carousal, but
before the guests retire they repeat
their congratulations, as Is customary
in other countries.
Among the common people the mar
riage ceremony is considerably modi
fled. Bridesmaids are omitted and the
nakodos. the gentleman sitting at the
right of the groom and his wife at the
left of the bride. fill and pass the cups
of sake; but there is always u supper of
some kind and plenty to drink. IL the
food Is only rice and sailed fish and the
liquids only tea.
When the guests have left the house
the nakodos take the couple to their
bedroom, assist them In removing their
garments and put them to bed. After
they are we'll covered up another cup OF
sake Is passed around and the final
good-nights are repeated.
In the morning the father of the
groom. or the nakodo, goes to police
headquarters and registers the fact of
the marriage. giving the names. ages
and occupations and residence of the
couple. 1t is customary for the bride
and groom shortly after their marriage
to make present to the gentleman and
lady who have served them.
FACILITATING DIVORCE.