Wedding Traditions in Japan

The wedding traditions in Japan are constantly increasing in popularity across the globe, especially towards the western end. These traditions have their origin from the Shinto Shrines. Japanese wedding customs are many and diverse; some of these traditions have been there for ages, some have faded away over the years and some have been modified to suit the present day world.

Japanese wedding traditions:

Marriage customs in Japan are many and here are some of the most important ones that are being followed since the ancient times.

White color on brides:

According to Japanese traditions, on the day of the wedding the bride is usually painted white right from her head to toe. White is the color of purity and is therefore used in weddings, as a sign of true and pure beginning of a new life.

Traditional Japanese wedding attires:

Kimono is the traditional Japanese wedding attire for brides. There is a white hood attached to the kimono, which signifies a protective shield. Japanese believe that the hood saves the bride from evil eyes. The bride also wears a head piece elaborately adorned with ornaments. The head piece is believed to bring good luck in the lives of the newly wed couple. Traditionally a Japanese groom wears a black kimono. At the time of the oath ceremony, both the families face each other.

Mi-ai custom:

Mi-ai is one of the most important wedding traditions in Japan, which is being practiced since the early 1900s. The concept behind the ritual is to interview both the bride and groom and know their idea of marriage. It is a formality that helps the to-be wed couple, understand each other better before tying the holy knot.

Yui-no custom:

Another important tradition in Japanese weddings is the Yui-no. This is a pre wedding event which is organized after the marriage has been fixed from both the ends. Both the families gather for dinner on an auspicious day. The main gift for the bride is presented on the day of Yui-no. The custom of offering the gift is known as ‘obi’. The bridegroom is also presented a Hakama shirt on the same day.

Traditional Japanese presents:

There is quite an elaborate list of traditional Japanese presents that are offered to the bride and groom. These gifts include items like the Sake casks, the Yanagi-daru, the Suehiro, the Shiraga, the Konbu, the Surume, the Katsuo-bushi, Money, the Mokuroku and the Naga-Noshi. Seasons like autumn and spring are considered perfect for weddings in Japan. Shinto Shrines are a significant aspect of Japanese marriage traditions and are usually organized in the shrines itself.

Nikodo custom:

Nikodo is another of the many marriage traditions in Japan. The custom has historical significance and is carried out with ceremonial drinks between both the groom’s and the bride’s family.

Here you have some of the most important wedding traditions in Japan, the knowledge of which will help you plan your wedding in a true Japanese style. In modern day world people from across the globe are adopting other wedding cultures for getting married. It not only gives the entire occasion a unique feel but also gives you the opportunity to choose your own style of wedding.

Also Wedding traditions in Japan follows the customary ritual of drinking nine cups of Sake, after which the newly-weds are considered united. Families and guests of both the bride and the groom attending the ceremony also drink sake to signify both the bonding of the families and the couples. The father of the bride and the groom then introduces their respective family members.

Japanese Wedding Reception Traditions

A host of customs and beliefs dominate the wedding reception in Japan. Here is a list of some of the significant customs followed during a Japanese wedding.

A Japanese reception celebration follows the tradition of the new bride changing into a red kimono and again later into a western style gown.

The wedding party and guests engages into playing games and arranging skits and karaoke during the reception.

Usually, during the celebration, guests are requested to offer money in an envelope either before or after the wedding ceremony. This tradition of giving money as presents is referred to as Oshugi. Usually, the money offered depends on the type of relationship the couple shares with him or her. The envelope is called Shugi-Bukuro.

As per the legends of Japan, cranes are symbolic of long-lived happy life. The making of 1,000 Paper Cranes during the wedding ceremony is considered to represent longevity, fidelity, and good fortune.

Japanese Wedding Meal

As per the wedding traditions in Japan, each food prepared for the reception is symbolic wish for prosperity, happiness, and longevity. Konbu is served, as the word represents the sound of the last half of yorokobu, the word for joy. Fish is usually served with the tail and head forced up from the plate representing a circle signifying eternity. Clams are usually served with both the shells together representing the couple. Lobster is served following the belief of the color red symbolizing good luck.

In a Japanese wedding reception, the number of meals served never equals to four, since the word for "four," shi, sounds like the word for death. Usually, for dessert, the bride chooses to serve komochi manjyu, made of gummy, sweetened rice with fillings inside.