Shinto Wedding Rituals: A Traditional Japanese Bridal

The majority of Japanese spouses were traditionally intimate affairs between members of the same family. Many people now choose to have a more formal wedding festival https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/gory-origins-valentines-day-180968156/ held at a temple or different catholic site. Others continue to practice the more traditional rituals, frequently including a sakura ( cherry blossom ) ceremony, where the bride and groom cross a tree together to signify the renewal of their vows.

Shinto, the church of Japan’s indigenous people, dominates these rites for the most part. In a festival that is both grave and joyful, these celebrations, known as shinzen shiki, are officiated by a priest. The couple makes an announcement to the kami and asks for their approval during this tradition. In a festival known as the sansankudo, they japanese mail order bride consume nine sips of the three mugs, where the amount three signifies luck and cohesion. The bride and groom take vows, change items, and finally love one another in a ceremonial dancing to appease the gods.

The shinzen shiki rites are never possible to vanish, even though Western-style ceremonies are becoming more popular in Japan. Toyohiko Ikeda, a key Shinto priest at Sugawara Shrine in Machida, with whom we spoke, about the customs that have evolved into more contemporary rituals.

The handful attends a ceremony greeting after the major ceremony. Relatives and friends typically attend this proper gathering. Traditional gifts are usually presented in velvet and tied with mizuhiki, or report strips, to symbolize good fortune.