Tales of Old Japan - Maybe You Like It

Appendix B The Marriage Ceremony (From the "Sho-Rei
Hikki"—Record of Ceremonies)
The ceremonies observed at marriages are various, and it is not right for
a man, exceeding the bounds of his condition in life, to transgress against
the rules which are laid down. When the middle-man has arranged the
preliminaries of the marriage between the two parties, he carries the
complimentary present, which is made at the time of betrothal, from the
future bridegroom to his destined bride; and if this present is accepted,
the lady's family can no longer retract their promise. This is the beginning
of the contract. The usual betrothal presents are as follows. Persons
of the higher classes send a robe of white silk; a piece of gold embroidery
for a girdle; a piece of silk stuff; a piece of white silk, with a lozenge pattern,
and other silk stuffs (these are made up into a pile of three layers);
fourteen barrels of wine, and seven sorts of condiments. Persons of the
middle class send a piece of white silk stuff; a piece of gold embroidery
for a girdle; a piece of white silk, with a lozenge pattern, and other silk
stuffs (these are made up into a pile of two layers); ten barrels of wine,
and five sorts of condiments. The lower classes send a robe of white silk,
a robe of coloured silk, in a pile of one layer, together with six barrels of
wine and three sorts of condiments. To the future father-in-law is sent a
sword, with a scabbard for slinging, such as is worn in war-time, together
with a list of the presents; to the mother-in-law, a silk robe, with wine
and condiments. Although all these presents are right and proper for the
occasion, still they must be regulated according to the means of the persons
concerned. The future father-in-law sends a present of equal value
in return to his son-in-law, but the bride elect sends no return present to
her future husband; the present from the father-in-law must by no means
be omitted, but according to his position, if he be poor, he need only
send wine and condiments.
In sending the presents care must be taken not to fold the silk robe.
The two silk robes that are sent on the marriage night must be placed
with the collars stitched together in a peculiar fashion.
The ceremonies of sending the litter to fetch the bride on the wedding
night are as follows. In families of good position, one of the principal retainers
on either side is deputed to accompany the bride and to receive
her. Matting is spread before the entrance-door, upon which the bride's
litter is placed, while the two principal retainers congratulate one another,
and the officers of the bridegroom receive the litter. If a bucket containing
clams, to make the wedding broth, has been sent with the bride,
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