Japan 2006: Tsuyoshi and Mariko's Wedding

Mari and Tsu

The main purpose of my visit was to attend Tsuyoshi and Mariko's wedding reception. This ceremony in Kobe was the second ceremony for the couple, after their first one held in Los Angeles last December. The couple grew up in France, and the wedding ceremony was decidedly modern and westernized. The main reception was held at a European colonial-looking house-turned-French restaurant. Although Japanese do receive money for wedding receptions, a la local wedding hongbaos, this particular reception "charges" admission fees, so as to cover the cost of the reception.

Himeji Castle, Himeji

Mari wore a traditional kimono handed down to her by her mum, but no one in her family knew how to put one on. (She later changed into a white western-style wedding gown.)

Tsuyoshi chose a western suit as he was not prepared for the white-face make-up that goes with the traditional men's costume. Before I arrived, I was told that the typical dress code for male guests is black suit and white shirt, with a white tie. Of course I did not have a white tie. Fortunately, not many attendees wore the white shirt/tie combo.

The Reception
The reception was a relatively casual affair with more than enough speeches by senior relations (e.g. former bosses, ex-professors) peppered with polite anecdotes about the wedding couple's quirks and whims.

The afternoon reception was followed by an evening drinking party at a local pub which only the younger folks attended. Admission fee was levied and a free flow of alcohol ensued. Here, more adult-themed games and jokes took center-stage.

Following this was another party, and at a karaoke lounge no less. Again admission fee was charged and the American-invention 'sake bombs' (sake and beer) was enthusiastically embraced by the couple's friends, as were Beatles songs. The party ended at midnight and I decided to retire for the night. The wedding couple on the other hand stayed up for more drinking throughtout the night, catching the first available train the next morning.

What is interesting about Japanese wedding ceremonies (also an American by-product, largely due to the influence of Christian beliefs in the sacrament and ceremonial nature of marriage), is their seemingly religious nature. Although Japanese today are mostly non-religious, they do hold wedding ceremonies in churches and Buddhist temples, sometimes one right after the other.