Spring and summer is the height of wedding season in America, though lately Christmas weddings have become more popular than bad singers on American Idol. In Japan, spring is also a big season for weddings, but the Japanese prefer to bypass the summer vacation season to practice the Oriental art of gettin' hitched in the cool, cool of the fall. Japanese weddings are, as you might expect, highly traditional. Obviously, all weddings are exercises in ancient ritual, the meaning of which eludes all but the most dedicated of folklorist, but compared to general traditions associated with most western weddings, getting married in Japan is a truly amazing experience.
For instance, remember those old movies where the prospective bridegroom had to show up at the house of his intended and ask her father for permission to take his daughter's hand in matrimony? The Japanese are, it must be admitted, a bit more-shall we say formal-than most westerners. An ancient Japanese wedding tradition known as Mi-Ai still takes place today, though it is not quite as stiff and restrictive as in days of yore. Until the turn of the century, the "Mi-Ai" interview of a man and woman was more of a formality than an opportunity to know each other with a view to marriage. The Mi-Ai interview was an occasion for the once and future groom to wrangle an invitation to the house of a possible wifely opportunity. Should the woman have drawn his favor, the prospective groom would signify his intentions by leaving behind a token of his acceptance in the form of a fan. And if the object of the groom's intentions were not as favorably impressed? Well, now that hardly mattered, of course. The Mi-Ai interview
still lives on today in a far less formal arrangement; today the meeting is set up by a mediating go-between with the intention of letting the potential bride and groom get to know each other better. It can only be assumed, I would hope, that if the meeting doesn't impress the prospective bride that she need not go through with the union.
Source Article : http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/233629/japanese_wedding_ceremony_traditions.html
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The traditional white japanese wedding kimono is called shiro-maku. Shiro meaning white and maku meaning pure. The wedding kimono actually consists of two different kimono. The white wedding kimono is worn for the wedding ceremony and an elaborate rich patterned silk brocade kimono called uchikake is worn over the white kimono at the wedding reception.
wedding kimonoThe bright and colorful uchikake kimono originated in the Edo era and originally only worn by court nobles. The kimono is made of silk and silk brocade. Rich in fine embroidered patterns, the uchikake is embellised with scenes of flowers, cranes, pines, flower carts or nature motifs. While red is the most popular color for the uchikake kimono, there are many different colors available from a stunning imperial purple to sea green. The bridal kimono is sometimes handed down in the family or made into futon bedding later in life.
In a traditional Japanese wedding, the brides hair is also styled in the traditional hair style called bunkin-takashimada and adorned with beautiful gold combs and accessories called kanzashi. A white wedding hood called tsuno kakushi is meant to hide two front golden "tsuno" or horns during the wedding ceremony to symbolize obedience.
Like American weddings, there are traditional wedding accessories that are worn for tradition and are said to bring good luck. The bride carries a small purse style sack called hakoseko and a small encased sword called kaiken. Lastly, a fan is worn in the obi belt for tradition holds that the gradual widening of the open fan implies happiness and thus brings a happy future. JapaneseWeddingFavors.com carries a wonderful selection of Japanese wedding favors, wedding presentation ideas and information on Japanese wedding and Japanese wedding traditions.
Source Article :http://www.japanesekimono.com/wedding_kimono.htm
