Minnesota Essay

My part time job is wedding hall stuff, so my favorite presentation was America Wedding Customs. For example, often get two kind of ring, congratulatory gift isn’t money and different type of wedding ceremony. I thought difference between America and Japanese wedding so much. They are difference only country.

   American and Japanese are different culture and habit. I think our thinking and American thinking are difference. I search it.

Special day of a couple, man say a proposal of marriage. Investigation results of Japan wedding magazine, propose from husband 83.5%, from wife 2.0% and nothing is 14.0%. About 80% people propose from men, so men have a leadership of propose. And Japanese propose in home, at the restaurant and at the sea.

Men send Engagement ring. Japanese engagement ring is simple, but recently don’t send it. A couple had anniversary ring and cheap ring in return or don’t buy. A wedding band too. About 70% people send, didn’t send is 30%. A few people sent other gift. For example, give a watch and a necklace.

Japanese say “June bride” but it is not true. The Ministry of Health announcement Japanese wedding ceremony season is March, next November. Spring and autumn season is popular season.

Average wedding total costs is \3885000. A bride clothes cost is \430000, Engagement and wedding rings costs are \578000, Flowers costs are \220000, food costs are \1190000 and so on.

Japanese traditional style is a wedding ceremony and a wedding reception. There are five type of wedding ceremony. First, a wedding ceremony held at a Shinto shrine. This is generally wedding native style to Japan. I will explain how to do it.

First, “Sanshin” the bride and groom walk into the shrine with Japanese ancient court music. Second, “Shubatsu-Purification Rite” to begin the ceremony, this is done to purify the mind and body. Third, “Kensen Rite of presentation of food to god” this is a rite in which god is offered rice, rice wine and other foods. Fourth, “Norito-soujyou reading of sacred words” bride and groom from this point on become spouses, they appeal to the god, they give thanks to the god and pray for a long, happy life together. Fifth, “Sankon-no-gi-Exchanging of nuptial cups” together a large, middle sized and small cup of rice wine is drank and the spouses then promise to love each other. The groom drinks the small cup, then the bride drinks the small cup. The bride drinks the middle cup, then the groom drinks the middle cup. The groom drinks the large cup, then the bride drinks the large cup. Sixth, “Mikushi-azuke-no-gi-Entrusting of the comb” the bride entrusts a comb, a symbol of a woman in ancient ages,to the groom. With this, they are united as one and promise to trust and help each other in their new life going forward. Seventh, “Seishi-houdoku reading of the vows” the rite where the spouses face the god and personally state their vows. The groom using his right hand and the bride her left, together they hold the vows paper. Eighth, “Tamagushi-houten tamagushi rite” the bride and groom pray from the heart and place their feelings into the Tamagushi, offer it before the god and worship. Ninth, “exchange wedding rings” the bride and groom consecrate their vows. Tenth, “Tamagushi-houten tamagushi rite” the match maker or family representative prays for a long, happy life for the spouses and offering the Tamagushi, worships before the god. Finally, “Shinzoku-Keppai” bond tying rite. The relatives of the spouses pour and exchange cups of rice wine before the god tying the bonds of the relationships of friends and family. This rite started 1900. It is traditional Japanese style.

Other kind of wedding are a church wedding, a temple wedding, a home wedding, a nonreligious wedding. Recently, many Japanese people get married in church.

The boy decide proposal day, a couple does special dating. For example, they eat splendid dinner. Generally, a man says “Will you marry me?” It is same to Japan. If it is yes, man gives Engagement ring. It has a big jewel. A wedding ceremony, husband send Wife’s wedding band and wife send husband’s wedding band. Another day, Engagement ring and Wife’s wedding band stick.

   American also say “June bride” because it is very good climate season. This tradition came to Europe. And it has other mean “bride of June”. June is Juno’s month of marriage and woman’s god. If woman get married this month, she became a happy life.

   Average wedding total cost is $25,449.00(\2086,818). Average wedding dress cost is $1,025.00(\84050). Engagement and wedding rings costs are $6066.00(\497,412). Flowers costs are $1,103.00(\90,446). Cake cost is $525.00(\43050). Generally, all American wedding cake is real, isn’t fake. Reception costs are $9286.00(\761,452). American wedding cost is a bit cheap. Japanese wedding ceremony need a lot of minor expenses.

   This is certainly easily understood since the United States was originally populated by immigrants from many lands, primarily Europe.  These immigrants brought their own wedding traditions with them, and these traditions, stirred in the melting pot of the United States, have slowly evolved into the traditional American wedding ceremony. There are a few things that all U.S. weddings have in common.  To begin with, U.S. wedding ceremonies may be either religious or civil.  Most brides prefer a large and rather elaborate ceremony if it is their first wedding Marriages are not arranged. A typical U.S. wedding takes place between two people who have sought out a partner and have found someone whom they believe they can share their life with.  In other words, in the United States marriages are based on LOVE.  They are not arranged to strengthen family business or influence.

   There are Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower girl and Ring bearer in ceremony. Bridesmaids are bride’s sisters, cousin and so on. They help to bride and act as a foil for the bride. Groomsmen are also brother, cousin and so on. They are an attendant for groom and act as a foil for the groom. Flower girl is a niece the young people. She walk in front of bride with strew to flowers and hold a bouquet. Ring bearer is a nephew. He carries a wedding ring.

   There is a tradition that a bride wears “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” It is called “Something Four.” If a bride wears them, became a happy marriage life. Something Old prove an ancestor and tradition. Something New express a couple new life to begin from now. Something Borrowed express the relationship with friends and the neighbors. Something Blue express the blue that is symbol color of the Virgin Mary that is purity.

   There are bouquet toss and garter toss in the party. A bridegroom enters the skirt and takes off the garters which a bride puts on in the body and throws it, and it is said that the single man who received it can marry next. American gift of wedding isn’t money. Everyone give to need newly married life. Everyone do dancing a long time after the party.

   Recently, there is interest wedding style. It is a drive-through wedding. I heard it, I was very surprised. A signature is given it for the blessing of the clergyman and the kiss of the oath, a certificate with getting into a car and I finish a wedding ceremony in no time and can put it away.

 

  

I think Japan wedding ceremony is a solemn ceremony. Japanese not dancing, not showy organize. But Japanese wedding ceremony style based on the American model. For example, give Engagement and wedding rings, say “June Bride”, “something four”, and get married in church.

An overall impression, American wedding is free and like party. Japanese wedding is strict and serious rite.

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