Transformation

With the deft craft of attendants to help her don her juban and kimono and tie her obi, apply her make-up and style her hair, Fumiko-san went from urban hipster to Stunning Bride in a few hours. When Fumiko-san's father called us over and walked us to a bride and groom taking pictures on the shrine grounds, we didn't recognize the pair. Fumiko-san was a living doll. She's always a doll, but she really looked like one this time.

One of the most frequent questions is about the 'do. Well, it is real hair, it's just not hers. Brides wear a katsura, a special wig, and some of the bride's hair is blended with the wig. Long hair is a sign of beauty and in days past, styling your hair intricately was a sign of a refined woman.

The wedding katsura that Fumiko-san wore is made to go with the white hood; the hood is to cover the horns of jealousy. I read some mumbo-jumbo about the hood also meaning obedience, but I'm sure it's been dropped in modern times just like the "...and obey" part has been dropped in the West. I don't think Fumiko-san is that traditional. She's honestly made Greg a better brother, son, and friend and that certainly doesn't come from speaking only when spoken to.

Jeff and Rindah just picked up a book, "Japan Unvieled", which had a passsage about the make-up -- the white make-up is to mask emotion and the crimson lips are one hint to sensuality. Another hint of sensuality is the nape of the neck, exposed by a draping neckline where the neck and back meet. Fumiko-san told us that her neck was shaved for the wedding. I suppose this is so the back is smooth and more refined -- I imagine that even the fine, black hair against the white make-up will only stand-out!



Her wedding ceremony kimono is a shiromuku, "shiro" meaning white and "muku" meaning pure. The shiromuku is so simple when viewed as a whole, but looking at the details of the silk, it's quite elaborate. The Japanese are very clever at juxtaposing differing concepts within the same body of work throughout their culture. I enjoyed catching on to small things like this.



At the Kekkon Hiroen or "Wedding Reception", Fumiko-san changed to the reception kimono or uchikake. The uchikake is adorned with the crane, the well-known symbol for fidelity and a long-life.

As women know, to look stunning comes with a price. I've had conversations with girlfriends about not wearing your sit-down only shoes (read: CFMP) with your stand-up only pants, skirt or dress. But we still do. It's the same with brides that wear the wedding kimono and all the accoutrements that comes with tradition. The wig is heavy and the obi and kimono are tightly wound. You have a staff of people primping at you all morning long. With extra weight on the head and restricted movement from the kimono and obi, try balancing around in slippers. Every once in a while, it's usually worth that extra bit of effort and discomfort, isn't it?