Traditional Wedding Fashion: Shinto Wedding
September 19, 2009 by Christine Gooding
Filed under Wedding Fashion, Wedding Traditions and History
The reason why I love looking through random photos online is that I discover a lot of different wedding ceremonies. Naturally, what sets these photos apart is the apparent uniqueness in how the wedding couple were garbed. In this case, my attention is turned to a Shinto wedding ceremony being held at the Tamukeyama Shrine wonderfully captured by a photographer passer-by.
No, these people aren’t dressed up for Halloween — too early for that anyway — or some play. It’s the real deal. They’re getting hitched!
Image: Flickr - jpellgen
“As I was taking some photos of Sangatsu-do, I noticed some photographers in the vacinity of Tamukeyama Shrine. I was fortunate to get these lovely photos. I think Shinto wedding ceremonies are quite unique, but the garb is the most amazing part. Traditional wedding apparel (tomesode) is usually a kimono for the man and a white kimono called a shiromuku for the woman. The shiromuku is completed with a special headdress. The man’s formal kimono (montsuki) consists of hakama, haori (jacket), geta, and white cords with a fluffy tassel known as himo.” — jpellgen
I appreciate the short description noted after the photograph since it explained the traditional outfit for both groom and bride in this particular Eastern wedding ceremony. The photo showed the richness in culture and gives us foreigners an amazing look at the traditional wedding fashion that may have been passed on for centuries.
I learned something new today about the wedding traditions in other parts of the world, particularly on wedding fashion. How about you?
Heehee, I’m doing a History Powerpoint on Shintoism, came onto this website at random.