The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-18
Mikado's Citizens Here Comment
on Marriage of Hiroschi Mori
and Miss karaSawa.
MUST USE G0-BETWEENS.
Not Proper for Man to Select
His Own Bride and Propose
Subject to Her or Her
Gather.

Tho American wedding of Hiroschi Mori
and Miss Mlstu Karasawa, the japanese
couple who were married in St LOUIS Il
few days ago. has caused much comment
in St. Louis but the japanese colony. II
they discuss it at all. with Americans
gay: 1T was most unusual thinS LOT
japanese couple to do
The Japanese regarded it as breach
of good breeding and consider ii vulgar
When a prominent japanese was asheu
II It were not possible for japanese 10
select his own bride and propose marriage
TO. her or her father. according to Inc
American plan. he replied:
EOf course it is possible. but 1t ia eN-
tremely improbable. We are not cducat-
ed up to that point. We may come 20
It In time, but marriage and the alairs
a home are the least affected by foreign
lnnovations. If a young man OF very hiSn
Population and social position should at
$empt TO offer himself TO a young lady. OF
3sk her hand In marriage from her
Gather as you do in America, 1t woulo
Be absolutely fatal to his prospects OF
marriage for neither that girl nor any
other g,rl with any self-respect would
accept him. He would be consldered ds
triiinG with the most sacred relation IN
life
When a young man wants to get mar
ried in Japan he does not oIer ms near
and hand to the girl he loves, put II az
arrangement has not already peen Hiaus
for him BY his parents with the dausnleI
of q neighbor he goes to Il discreet anu
trusted friend who is already married
and asks that he and his vile act as
"nakodos, or -g0-betWeens IN llilS ALL
portant matter.
As a rule marriages in the upper circles
of society-marriages between the sons at.d
ranged by the parents when the children
are Young The social laws require that
people shall marry at the age OF ls or ~
to INSPECT the girl selected by his parents
or his nakodos before an engagement is
decided upon. and If either is dissatisfied
ss aee Is deeiared Off This meeting is
called a 'miyai.'' which means mutual
seeing"
parents send her handsome box Of gifts.
Then the brides parents send gifts In re-
turn, which is equivalent to an engage
nent: and an early day is selected for
wedding
This wedding ceremony takes place at
the house Of the bridegroom's parents, and
fr1eQds of both families are invited to at
ten9 The wedding gown is always pure
white. and the bridegroom Is dressed In a
.Kanishimo,'' The bride is escorted to
The bouSe OF her future father-in-law be-
fore sniRhtfall by her parents and other
members OF her family. and the nakodos.
followed by servants. bearing girts to the
the bridegroom Is usually lighted with
lanterns and other evidences of festivity
which draw all the people of that part of
bride. She Is met outside the entrance by
members of the bridegroom's family. but
ne remains seated on a cushion In front
In all Japanese houses. When she enters
the room she is escorted to a seat beside
him The nakodos sit to his right and at
her left are usually two married ladies' or
little girls dressed in white, who serve as
bridesmaids.
When the party is thus seated a chorus
:"utai" A low table Of white WOOD that
has never been used is then brought and
aatray placed upon 1t containing three
NILS with sake. The latter hands the
smallest cup to the bride, who takes three
Tsdnty a. Il sips Of wine. and then passes IT to
Tha second and third cups are filled
In similar manner. and the ceremony is
repeated, as the groom returns the third
sup to the brides maid ali clap their
hands. which is a salute or appreciation
announcing that the ceremony Is over
There is no kissing or embracing. but
many, congratulations are offered to the
young couple. and guests Of literary at
tainments are expected to hand them
poems, which are afterwards bound in
Matle hnnE as nne.-snto If he occ9s =
ding robes. and join the guests at the
feast, which is served with great cere-
n1ony- There the congra tula tions are
again renewed, every one drinks to the
health Of the bride and bridegroom.
In the morning fir farh 30 b-'1s-
groom, or the nakodos. goes 20 the police
headquarters and registers the marriage
On the third day after the wedding the
bride returns to her fathers house and
stays three or seven days. II the first
three days Of married life Is not satisfac-
tory to the BRIDE she notifies the nakodos
Of the fact, and does not return to her
husbands house. which is equivalent to a
divorce. II divorce is insisted upon by
either party. it must be accepted by the
other.
After the ceremonies are concluded the
bride separates herself entirely from her
own family and becomes as much identi-
6ed with the family of her husband as II
she were born into It. Sc is not expected
10 inherit any OF her fathers property.
There are seven causes for which
japanese may divorce his wife. They are
0iiobedience, the failure to bear children
pnchastity. jealousy, an incurable disease,
6ishonesty and loquacity. In other words,
o. husband can get rid Of his wife when
SVer he likes and BY a very simple proce IS.
An he has to do Is to write her a letter