Asiatic Quarterly Review (Full Title: The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review, and Oriental and Colonial Record): Volume XIII, No. 26 [‎501r] (126/238)

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Japanese Monographs.
of the passage, were pounding up moche, or rice, in two
separate mortars, and as soon as the litter passed, the con
tents of both mortars changed hands, and were finally-
incorporated into one inseparable whole mixture of the
finest rice flour.*
Ladies-in-waiting repaired to the bridegroom’s house the
day before the wedding, and spent much time in preparing
many comforts. The special robes for the forthcoming
ceremony were hung over racks or screens, only used for
this purpose ; presents were made conspicuous, and the few
articles that the bride was permitted to claim as her own
from the home she was leaving for ever, were thoughtfully
disposed of in a manner to give pleasure to the possessor,
who had but little else to call her own.
In this strange marriage ceremony no vows were needed,
no prayers or promises. No kiss of love sealed the com
pact, no gentle pressure of the hand reassured the trembling
maiden of future and ever ready protection, no formal
words were expected to be witnessed by the company
present. It was a silent contract, as silent as the grave.
Cups of wine, containing just one sip, were passed between
the contracting parties—nine offered by the groom in
triplets ; nine in like manner returned by the bride, was the
preliminary binding action. This wine had previously been
mingled by the wine-bearers, from two separate bottles to
which were attached models of male and female butterflies
made in white paper. These were pressed together, or
suffered to remain as emblems of immortal love in all its
mystery. While the sake-drinking was proceeded with,
delicacies were served—a pair of turtle-doves, fish, rice,
cakes, dainty fruits, and other particular condiments.
Then the scene changed, and the second part of the cere
mony was marked by the room being rearranged, while the
* It was not until we became acquainted with Japan that the custom of
throwing rice over our brides was prevalent. Previously corn was used as
a symbolic expression on the part of the wedding guests. The latest
modern use of confetti is absurd, and of no symbolic value whatever.
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