"Kekkonshiki"

My Japanese isn't very good, but lucky for me, there are Japanese speakers who read this blog. Therefore, I can say with absolute confidence, that I went to a Kekkonshiki! I have officially experienced a Japanese wedding!

My fellow teacher and friend had a brother who got married today and she invited me to share the experience with her family! It was absolutely incredible. I left for my friend’s house around 8 this morning, and didn’t get back until 8 this evening! It was a lovely day, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of it all!

First off, a bus came to transport all of my friend’s family to Kumamotojo-Kumamoto Castle, where the wedding was to take place. We found our room upstairs and set up “camp”, then went back downstairs to pray at the shrine. Then we did some waiting and chatting, then everyone went to get dressed. Many of the women wore kimonos, so it was neat to see all that that entailed! They’re extremely complicated to wear-There were about 6 beauticians there for hair, makeup, and to dress everyone in their kimonos! The bride had an especially lovely dress (actually she also had a second one for the reception afterwards). To see a picture of a similar dress, google: shiromuku OR Japanese wedding.

After everyone was dressed, we trooped into the shrine, or “Jin Ja”. The ceremony was absolutely amazing. There were lots of things I didn’t understand, but I felt more than thought and I felt like it was a very special ceremony. There were two priests, two shrine assistants, and a troupe of musicians. In a quick summary, the priest blessed the couple with a prayer stick (??? My terminology has not been researched whatsoever-sorry!), the couple drank sake and exchanged rings, the shrine assistants did a ceremonial dance with palm branches, and then all of the family members and friends drank sake. Also, for all you music nerds out there, there was a four-piece music ensemble. One of the priests chanted to music, we exited and entered to music, and there was some music throughout. The ensemble included an upright drum struck with thick dowel-like sticks, a horizontal drum struck with skinnier sticks, a wooden flute, a wooden reed instrument, and a harmonica-like instrument that played five different cords. I tried to identify the chords too, but I couldn’t. All I know is they were very dissonant! The music created such a cool atmosphere. If the music was all that I experienced all day, it would have been absolutely worth it.

But the party wasn’t over yet. It had just begun! After taking pictures, we headed into the dinning hall. I have never, ever seen so much food in all my days. That is not an exaggeration! The tray I was eating from was as big as my torso and plum full of traditional Japanese dishes. I thought I would explode from eating only that, but once a course was finished, another was brought out! I should have counted how many different dishes I ate. At least a dozen, probably more. It was oishi (delicious) also! And the meal included a take-out box, so I enjoyed leftover sushi this evening! The wedding that keeps on giving.

And speaking of giving, I’m hoping to include a picture of all of the things I received as gifts! An entire bagful for each guest!

What a day. I’m dog-tired. I can only imagine how the people who wore kimonos all day long feel, or the bride whose mere wardrobe looked exhausting. I need to go get ready for school tomorrow. Going to school almost seems tame after the day we had. I’m sure the students will make it interesting though!