MORAL LIFE OF THE JAPANESE. 



335 



his choice, he summons a mutual friend to act as nakodo. In 

 this case the engagement is usually of very short duration ; fre- 

 quently not more than a few days or weeks 



The nakodo arranges 





a 

 z 



■< 



>-> 



2 

 < 



- 



everything — the dower, the wedding itself, and the subsequent 

 entertainment. The engaged couple may see each other, but 

 never alone. Their previous acquaintance may have been a long 

 one, and the young people themselves may have come to a 

 mutual understanding ; but to all intents and purposes the groom 

 elect, prior to the betrothal, has merely been a friend of the 

 family in general. The Occidental custom, or rather usage, which 



