A Japanese Wedding

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 83, 3 January 1893, Page 3

A Japanese Wedding

. — «+ A Japanese wedding in high life is a pretty ceremony. Though no vows are spoken, nor has the church nor religion any part in it, the rite is, revertheless, solemn and impressive, j aTßre are ten bridesmaids gaily att%ed in costumes of the " Japs." Two , at a time enter from the opposite di rections, and salaam each to the other until the entire party has passed in, each keeping opposite her companion. The parents of the bride and groom now enter, those of the groom at the left, and those of the bride at the right, and are seated near the bridesmaids on either side. The bride, attired in a snowy, tiliny dress and closely veiled, now appears, leaning on the arm of her affianced, while the bridesmaids salaam. The go-between assists the bride to a seat by her parents, and the groom to one near his. Tea is then served by the go-between, three cups being given the parents of the bride and groom and to the happy couple. Each of the bridesmaids receives one cup. The go-between then joins the hands of the bride and groom, and the latter leads his bride to the front and whispers in her ear a promise of faithfulness. The bride whispers in return, and they exchange seats to show the union of the two families. A simple repast is now served and the bridal party disperse, the bride aud groom leaving first, then their parents, and lastly the bridesmaids, salaaming as they go. The go-between is generally a friend of the groom. In courtship she set ties the question and arranges and Msieto in the marriage ceremony. It is a pretty scene, but the absence of the kiss, the ring, and the invocation of the blessing of God marred it for those who are accustomed to the , Christian rites