Tuesday, July 21, 2009

神前結婚記念日(shinzen kekkon kinenbi)

They say July 21 is Shinzen kekkon kinenbi(神前結婚記念日), the anniversary of wedding according to Shinto rites. The first wedding according to Shinto rites was held on July 21, 1900 at Hibiya dai jingu(日比谷大神宮), now Tokyo dai jingu(東京大神宮). There were two couples got married there on that day. Before that Japanese people got married at their homes.
There are mainly four ways of wedding ceremony in Japan: Shinzen shiki(神前式:Shinto way)at the Shinto shrines, Butsuzen shiki(仏前式: Buddhist way) at the Buddhist temples, Kirisuto kyo shiki(キリスト教式: Christian way) at the churches, and Jinzen shiki(人前式: in public way) in front of people.
According to the statistics of 2008, 64% were Christian way, 18% was Shinto way, and 16% was in front of people. 35% conducted the ceremony and reception at the hotels and 28% did at the wedding ceremony halls.
Many couples choose a lucky day for wedding called taitan (大安) when they get married. I think there will be many weddings on August 8 this year, because it is taian, Saturday and the number eight is very auspicious.

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