234 CHALLENGER 



heaped upon a plate before a small shrine together with symbols 

 representing the various aspects of marriage. Rice cake to in- 

 dicate the domestic work which the wife would have to do ; two 

 fish for the husband's task as family provider; a painted scroll 

 with cranes and tortoises for patience and long life; a bowl of 

 fruit for fertility, two ceremonial sake flasks and two minute cups 

 with which to seal the marriage. Magnum-sized bottles of sake 

 formed the background of this display. 



The bride's dress is traditional and is often hired for the 

 occasion in these days. It consists of a black kimono and red obei 

 which is passed many times around the waist and finally made up 

 aroimd a former or core at the back somewhat like a knapsack. 

 The back of the bride's neck had been shaved and she wore a 

 gigantic wig of black hair set above the head in the traditional 

 Japanese style. Her face and neck had been liberally powdered, 

 only her faintly orange cheeks and scarlet mouth relieving the 

 whitewashed appearance. A silver-coloured shade with pendants 

 dangling from it hid her eyes from view. 



The 'matchmaker' is an important personage at a Japanese wed- 

 ding, being the go-between for the groom and the bride up till 

 the time of their marriage. Although the guests wore Japanese 

 dress, the matchmaker wore tails. 



An old member of the bridegroom's family performed the 

 wedding ceremony, after which both bride and groom had to 

 drink nine cups of sake handed to them. The circulation of sake 

 then became general and relations and guests were each handed 

 the small cups which were drained in three noisy gulps. Then 

 each in turn had to offer a cup of sake to the groom with the 

 word 'dozo', well known to those who have visited Japan, for it 

 means 'Cheers' or something rather more forceful, urging one's 

 companion to drink also. Then dozoing too became general, 

 everyone toasting everyone else in a flurry of sake drinking from 

 the thimble-sized cups. 



While this was going on, others were preparing beautiful- 

 looking food on brightly coloured trays, for to the Japanese the 

 appearance of the food is equal in importance to the taste. 

 Eight colourful dishes were placed on each tray, ranging from 

 two rice cake ducks, representing the bride and groom and to 

 be taken away rather than eaten, to a bluey-green uncooked sea- 



