PACSON, GEM YTRAM R.

Learning Exercise No. 3

Title: Various Kinds of Marriage Ceremonies and Customs
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1. Overview of the customs in a Japanese wedding ceremony (and why you chose it)

In a Japanese wedding ceremony, there are strict rules that the Japanese follow. Their traditions
and customs are what molds the entire journey from preparation until the time after the ceremony
has ended. From choosing the wedding date based on calendar notes that tell the daily fortune
and even to unspoken rules of the wedding guests However, there are a number of traditions
they follow depending on who the married couple are. In this study I will be focusing in their
most formal Japanese wedding tradition called “Shinzen Shiki” or a Shinto style wedding --- it
literally means “the way of the Gods”. A Shinzen Shiki is practiced by nearly 80% of Japan’s
population. Ideally, a Shintoism style must be celebrated by Shintoists, however, only a few
identify themselves a Shintoist and yet would still choose a Shinto style wedding which is held in
the Shrine grounds. The Japanese culture has never failed to amaze me. They are unique in their
own without even having to try hard to impress. Their traditions and beliefs are what makes them
distinct.

2. Significance of the customs in a Japanese wedding ceremony

In a Shinzen Shiki, in contrast to Christian churches, only the close family members are allowed
to attend the said ceremony and other guests will not join the couple before the reception. After
the Shinto ceremony, the newlyweds would walk through the shrine grounds in their traditional
Kimono called the “Hakama” and Shiromuku”. The significance of the bride’s symbolic and all
white Shiromuku kimono is the “Wataboshi”- which is a big white hood similar to the wedding
veil. The hood covers the hair and most of the face and only giving a peek of the bride’s lips.
This is part of the belief that only the groom should be able to see the face of his beautiful wife.
They shall then be accompanied by the Shinto priest, shrine maidens and family members.
Another unique feature of this tradition is that the mothers shall traditionally wear a black
kimono called the “Kurotomsode”. The said kimono is the most formal one for married women
and should be worn only by the members of the couple

3. Compare and contrast to requisites in Family Code

PACSON, GEM YTRAM R.
Learning Exercise No. 3
Title: Various Kinds of Marriage Ceremonies and Customs
In the Shinto wedding proper, the Shinto priest and shrine maiden leads the couple, followed by
their family members to the Shrine. The Shrine maiden then starts to dance as a symbol of
appreciation to every God. Thereafter, the couple would drink 3 cups of Sake, a Japanese liquor.
The groom then reads the words of commitment, which is similar to the wedding vows. The
couple then offers a branch of “Sakaki’, a sacred tree, to the shrine. The 2 families shall then
exchange a cup of sake to celebrate the new family bond and the ceremony shall come to an end.

4. Analyze the marital vows (its relation to marital rights and obligations under Family code. are
there deviations from law?)

Vows from the Groom to the Bride

Each phrase or sentence is spoken by the Minister and repeated by the Groom:

Watakushi wa kono josei to kekkonshi

Fufu to narou to shite imasu
Watakushi wa kenkouna tokimo
Soudenai tokimo
Kono hito o aishi
Kono hito o uyamai
Kono hito o nagusame
Kono hito o tasuke
Watakushi no inochi no kagiri
Kataku sessou o mamoru koto o
Chikai masu.
This woman, I marry
No matter what the health situation is
I will love this person
Respect this person
Console this person
Help this person
Until death
Protecting fidelity
I swear.
PACSON, GEM YTRAM R.
Learning Exercise No. 3
Title: Various Kinds of Marriage Ceremonies and Customs
Vows from the Bride to the Groom

Each phrase or sentence is spoken by the Minister: and repeated by the Bride:. The lines are
identical to the above with the exception of the first line:

 Watakushi wa kono dansei to kekkonshi...

This man, I marry ...

Once both parties have spoken their vows the solemnizing officer or the Minister will now say:

Shinro, (groom's name), anata wa kono jyosei to kekkonshi fuufu to naru to shite orimasu.
Anata wa, kenko na tokimo, soudenai tokimo, kono hito o aishi, kono hito o uyamai, kono hito o
nagusame, kono hito o tasukete, sono inochi no kagiri kataku sessou o mamoru koto o
chikaimasu ka?
Groom, (groom's name), you this woman marry and become her partner.
Will you in peaceful times, during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person
help, until death, do you promise to fulfil?

Upon further analysis of the vows, it appears that these vows are quite similar to the ones used in
traditional weddings in our setting. These vows also mirror the marital rights and obligations
seen in Art. 68 of the Family Code stating “The husband and wife are obliged to live together,
observe mutual love, respect and fidelity, and render mutual help and support.”

5. Reflections and comments