When we were at the Meiji Shrine we totally enjoyed the serenity and tranquility that the shrine exuded. There are many religious ceremonies that take place here in the shrine. The first time I came here I was lucky enough to see a Japanese wedding it was a Sunday and many traditional Japanese weddings take place on Sunday. Bob and I were talking about how lucky I had been to see the 1st wedding. We were about to leave when I decided to sit down on benches in the shrine to plot our next stop so I would know exactly where we were going. Thank goodness I did; we were lucky enough to see another traditional Japanese wedding which was unusual as it was Monday and traditional Japanese weddings take place on Sundays.
Traditional Japanese weddings are elaborate events held at Shinto Shrines such as the Meiji Shrine. This is a religious ceremony after all the legal paperwork has been filed at the local government office. The documentation must be presented before the ceremony can be performed. Also, Japanese wedding customs fall into two categories: traditional Shinto ceremonies, and modern Western-style weddings. Japanese weddings are being increasingly extravagant with all the elaborate details placed into thought. In these traditional weddings the Japanese bride is painted white from head to toe, to show to the gods her maiden state. There are two headgears the bride may choose. The watabōshi, which is a white hood; the other, called the tsunokakushi; which is to hide the bride's 'horns of jealousy.' It also the symbol of the bride's becoming a gentle and obedient wife. In either case, the couple must first be legally married by filing for marriage at their local government office, and the official documentation must be produced in order for the ceremony to be held.
I do not think I would make a good Japanese bride but the ceremonies and the traditions are beautiful. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
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