Attending a marriage in probably the most conventional metropolis in Japan, Kyoto, is a novel and unforgettable expertise, however attending two weddings is a part of the dream: I used to be in Japan for the primary time, because of my brother’s wedding ceremony with an area lady, and to immerse themselves within the Japanese custom of the “fox wedding ceremony” ceremony (kitsune no yomeiri) which marks the method of spring, when it rains out of the blue. The invitation to attend the normal procession within the Kodai-ji temple in Kyoto occurred simply on the second day after my arrival in Japan, however the sensation of dwelling outdoors my physique, maybe exacerbated by jet lag, turns into disbelief, when Mariko (the bride) and her buddy Yukiko, invite us to affix the marriage procession of the fox, a lady coated by a masks, sporting the normal wedding ceremony gown. So, as the one gaijin of the group, we put on the standard kimono (han ten) and maintain the lamps that can illuminate the procession. In entrance of the jinriksha (rickshaw) on which the fox is boarded, the processional procession winds alongside the suggestive route that connects the temples of Kyoto by way of Maruyama park, the place the good sakura stands out firstly of flowering. Underneath the flashes of the vacationers, the procession makes varied stops, then, on the gong sign, leaves once more in silence. Returning to the Kobai-si temple, the lady, who can’t see something because of the masks, is made to get off the rickshaw and, sheltered by a crimson umbrella, she is accompanied in entrance of the gong, the place, after having recited a prayer, she claps her arms marking the tip of the ceremony. When the procession has damaged up, we have fun contained in the Kodai-ii temple, along with the opposite members, consuming inexperienced tea and consuming mochi (rice desserts).
After many checks and proposals, the day of my brother’s wedding ceremony arrives. The Buddhist wedding ceremony ceremony shouldn’t be extensively utilized by the Japanese, preferring the Shinto one, or the European one, thought of extra trendy. The sophisticated ceremonial of dressing begins early within the morning. The bride wears two overlapping kimonos, and a kurohi (bridal kimono) with a black background and crimson and gold flowers, with a gold-colored obi. The groom wears a less complicated black kimono with black striped hakama (trousers/skirt). we arrive on the Kodai-ii temple, the situation of the ceremony, and we sit within the ready room, the place we’re served inexperienced tea with mochi (rice desserts). To mood the wait, put together origami for youngsters. When the drum begins to beat, it’s the sign for the start. In procession, the groom’s kin, adopted by these of the bride, enter the temple by way of the engawa (veranda). Lastly the groom enters, adopted by the bride. The ceremony is presided over by a priest and a bonze who recite the Buddhist mantra accompanied by the gong.
The kin and the chums of bride and groom, divided on either side of the temple, maintain the “rosary” of their arms Buddhist, reciting the mantra. The priest asks the couple the ritual questions, then the longer term spouses take turns consuming the sake, to consolidate the bond of marriage and, instantly afterwards, they pour it to the company into bowls, which after consuming, they may clear and maintain in reminiscence of the marriage day. Lastly, the newlyweds, adopted by their closest kin, go to the altar to burn a pinch of incense to thank their deceased kin. The ceremony ends with the supply of the wedding certificates to the groom, who places it underneath the kimono, taking care to depart a part of it seen, as proof of the wedding, after which the priest leaves the temple. The company congratulate the newlyweds and arrange themselves for the ritual images, mingling with vacationers and guests to the temple, together with two maiko (apprentice geishas) who graciously let themselves be photographed. Nonetheless in disbelief, I attempt to seize the moments of this second to imprint them in my reminiscence.
Creator
Michela De Domenico