Asiatic Quarterly Review (Full Title: The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review, and Oriental and Colonial Record): Volume XIII, No. 26 [‎499v] (123/238)

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JAPANESE MONOGRAPHS.
By Charlotte M. Salwey, m.j.s.
IX.—CONCERNING MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.
In Japan a priestless ceremony, a ringless marriage, a
wedding carried out devoid of almost any religious office,
is as binding in its establishment (at least, on the part of
the woman) as any marriage conducted under the most rigid
rite and in conformity to ancient usage known throughout
the civilized world.
Many manners and customs of the Japanese have struck
us as being at least peculiar to the nation, full of interest
and novelty in contrast with those of other countries.
Those ceremonials which dispense entirely with every
religious obligation strike us, perhaps, most of all, and excite
a feeling of inquiry as to their ultimate successful fulfilment.
Like everything else, Japanese customs vary in detail in the
different provinces in which they exist. This is inevitable
\
where dependence and custom are based on tradition.
The training of a young girl was severe and exclusive,
particularly after the days of happy childhood were over,
and the “ festival dolls ” had descended to a younger sister.
There was no season in town, no debut into circles where a
likely partner might be found, no excitement of a first ball,
or a dance with the most honoured guest to the envy of all
present. The daughter’s future was quietly arranged in
the home between parents, guardians, and go-betweens of
both families, after every item of suitability had been fully
weighed, and found nearly equal. When all items were
settled, presents were exchanged, and if the gifts were
accepted by the parties and their relatives, there could be
no withdrawal. The giving and receiving of presents
corresponded to a formal betrothal, and the solemnity of
the situation was thereby ratified. On rare occasions the
couple were permitted to interview each other, generally in