Japanese Weddings and Customs

Today I approach a topic that I consider very interesting and fascinating concerning customs of Japanese WEDDINGS.

I have to make some preliminary remarks: in Japan, the marriage itself is done in town hall. The celebrations and religious rituals associated with it made ​​only after delivery of the necessary documents and appropriate municipal office are completely disconnected from marriage in a practical sense, while remaining a very popular way to celebrate and bless a union.
The contemporary weddings are celebrated in many different ways, and often contain elements of both traditional and Western elements.

There are also more and more couples who want a Christian marriage, although neither of them is a believer, so flourished a real business of fake churches and priests who staged fake marriages similar to the original, but with no religious significance.

In recent years, then came a real fashion among Japanese married couples, which is to "marry" in ITALY according to European customs. Beyond exoticism of choice, this also has a practical explanation: not invited to help cut costs! In addition, the couple are already on the site of our HONEYMOON!

There are also marriages with Buddhist rites, but the more traditional ones are made ​​with Shinto ritual.This type of ceremony can be performed either in a temple in the house of the groom. In the latter case is set up in the tokonoma (the sacred place of the house) a temporary sanctuary.
Nowadays, however, weddings are big business and many hotels and restaurants have a special room for ceremonies, or even a small Shinto shrine.

Many couples, therefore, argue for this simple solution: after the church service, so you can comfortably move into the adjoining room, where the festivities will take place and the wedding reception!

The preferred months for the wedding are spring and autumn, but there is another thing to keep in mind when choosing the wedding day: All days in the calendar lucky Shinto (the one where the gods are more likely to bless the union). The rite of marriage is regarded as something sacred and intimate, and that is why only the family members who participate in the spouses, close relatives and witnesses.