Japanese wedding

Though many Japanese couples are celebrating a wedding, the ceremony is Christian-like (mimicry of the Christian ceremony).
Actually, Japanese Christian are 1% of population.

Well, isn't there Japanese traditional wedding?
No, we have two types of wedding ceremony. One is Japanese Shintoism ceremony, and other is Buddhism one.

However, these ceremonies have short histories. Because these ceremonies influenced by Christian's one.

Originally, Japanese had had not wedding ceremony except Imperial family.

When common people hold a wedding ceremony, they used to hold it at their house.
The ceremony was called "SHUGEN". It means celebration banquet.


Though Christianity had been forbidden for long times, Meiji government (1868 - 1912) removed the ban about that.
After that, many christian cultures are introduced to Japan, Shinto and Buddhism have created a wedding ceremonies.

But Buddhism wedding ceremony is seldom held.
Because Buddhism is not attach much importance to wedding ceremony itself.

If you have an opportunity of visiting to Japan, please go to Shinto shrine (Jinja). You maybe can see Shinto wedding.