This document describes Japanese wedding traditions and customs. It discusses the history of weddings in Japan, including the roles of the bride and groom's families. Traditional wedding ceremonies include both Shinto and Buddhist rituals at a shrine. The bride and groom wear formal kimonos and participate in rituals like drinking sake. Guests are expected to give cash gifts, and the union celebrates the political and social alliance of two families. Over time, Western influences and changes after WWII led to more emphasis on individual choice and equality between partners.

1. 結婚式
WEDDING
ピサイ・リス
Pisey Riem

2. 歴史
HISTORY
 Groom joining the
bride's family
 Groom visit the bride
every night at her house
 Only after the birth of a
child or the death of his
parent will the bride be
accepted into the family
 Selection of mates to
create children
 The bride joins the
groom family
 Link between two
families rather than two
individual
 Political, economic, and
social alliance
 Used as political and
diplomatic approaches
to maintain peace and
unity.
婿入り
Muko-iri
嫁入り
Yome-iri

3. お見合い
OMIAI
 A parent or a 仲人
(matchmaker)
interviews potential
mates
 The matchmaker
arranges marriages on
behalf of both families
 A marriage can mean
cementing alliances
 Equal rank and class

4. WORLD WAR II
 Rewritten of the
Japanese Constitution
changing the law of
the marriage
 Women gained more
rights
 Equality of gender
 Western influences of
love marriage

5. 結納
YUI NOU
 長熨斗 (Shell) Longevity
 目録 (List) list of gift
exchanged
 子生婦 (Seaweed) Wish for
many happy and healthy
children
 寿留女 (Dried cuttlefish)
Wish for long marriage
 末広 （ Fan) Wish for a better
future and happiness
 鰹節 (Dried tuna) Wish for a
lasting marriage
 家内喜多留 (Wine cask) Can
be substitute with money
 友白髪 (Tread) signify strong
ties in married life
 金宝包 (Money) a ceremonial
amount of money

6. 着物
KIMONO
 紋付
montsuki
Formal black kimono
 羽織
haori
Knee length loosely fitting coat
 袴
hakama
Ankle skirt with 5 pleat in the
front and 2 in the back
 羽織紐
haori himo
Woven string that keep the 羽
織 together
 旅
tabi
Divided-toe socks
 ぞ利
zori
Traditional sandals

7. 白無垢
Shiromuku
Worn open without an
obi, thick padding at the
hem, new beginning
角隠し
Tsunokakushi
Headdress or hood, use to
cover the wig or
hairstyle. “ Horns of
jealousy” Bride enter the
new family with
openness and obedience
打ちかけ
Uchikake
Elaborate and colorful
kimono. Long sleeves
with red padding, worn
open over without an obi

8. 綿帽子
Wataboshi
Bridal kimono
hood, only wore
outside with the
白無垢 , hides the
bride’s face
筥迫
Hakoseko
Small pocket case
accessory,
traditionally used to
carry lucky charm
簪
Kanzashi
Hair ornaments
文金高島田
Bunkin-
Takashimada
Traditional hair
style, high top knot

9. BEFORE CEREMONY
 参進 (sanshin)
 Shinto maiden lead the
groom and bride into the
shrine to the sound of
flute and drums
 Groom’s parent next to
the groom
 Bride’s parent next to the
bride
 All the people present
bow towards the alter
then the ceremony can
begin
 The priest waves a 祓い
串 (haraigushi) to
symbolize purification.

10. SHINTO SHRINE CEREMONY
修祓の儀 (Shubatsu-no-gi)
Shinto priest purifies the couple
祝詞奏上 (Norito-soujou)
Priest reads out the formula to
announce the marriage, seek
blessing and protection for the
couple
神楽舞 (Kaguramai)
A Shinto maiden dedicates a
sacred dance
誓いの盃 (Chikai-no-
sakazuki) The couple exchanges
cups 3 times and drink 3 sips of
the rice wine. Called “ ”三々九度
誓詞奏上 (Seishi-soujou)
The groom reads out the vow
letter.
玉串拝礼 (Tamagushi-
hairei)
The bride and groom make
offerings of tamagushi to vow

11. BUDDHIST
 Offering of incense to the
Buddha
 Water ritually purified by the
priest
 数珠 (Buddhist rosary) is
given to the couple
 三々九度 (three times three
equaling nine sips)
 Drinking rice wine from three
wine cups by taking three sip
per cup
 Symbolizing homage to the
three treasure of the Buddha
 Exchange rings
 Pledge is confirmed by the
officiating priest

12. GUEST
 Female: Dresses, suits
,kimono
 Male: Black formal suits
 Expected to bring cash ご
祝儀 Goshugi (Gift Money)
 Amount depend on the
guest relationship to the
bride or groom
 Enclosed in an envelope
祝儀袋 (shugibukuro)
 Use new bills with no
creasing

13. CONCLUSION
 Japan has a long history and many customs changing over
time. There are many different type of wedding that
couples can choose from but in the end they all have one
thing in common. The union of two people for a happy and
lasting marriage.

14. CREDIT
 http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat18/sub117/item617.html
 http://www.kmfa-kyoto.com/bridalkimono.html
 http://www.buddhanet.net/nippon/nippon_partII.html
 http://gojapan.about.com/cs/traditionculture/a/japanesewedding.htm
 http://www.abazias.com/diamondblog/wedding/japanese-engagement-and-wedding-traditions
 http://www.gojapango.com/culture/japanese_wedding_yui_no.html
 http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2061.html
 http://nirvanamuscat.blogspot.com/2013/05/japanese-traditional-clothing.html
 http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/network/english/newsletter/things_japanese_27.html