Even taking fashion out of the equation, it’s no wonder Christian-style weddings are becoming the norm in Japan, as for the bride at least, it means there’s no need to suffer the uncomfortable kimono and heavy wig of a traditional Shinto ceremony. But as a spectacle — to these foreign eyes at least — the latter really is something else. A wonderful melding of the past and present. And one that while somewhat somber, also appears incredibly serene.
leinad says
Beautiful shot of the bridegroom, the bride and family!
Lee says
Thanks! It was good to get the different generations in the frame. Seemed very apt considering the nature of the ceremony.
Hans ter Horst says
I had a Shinto ceremony in Shiogama, loved wearing the kimono but the rental costs for mine was quite a bit higher than for my wife’s as the “gaijin-sized” kimono had to come all the way from Tokyo. It took over an hour to get my wife dressed in her kimono but it did look fabulous and I still have many happy memories of the ceremony.
Hans ter Horst says
BTW, I know exactly where you took this shot, I was standing 20m to the left when I took this shot: http://monochrome.me.uk/blog/p/1239 🙂
Lee says
Interesting that you had to pay extra for a larger size!
Yes, that’s the spot! Lovely shot of yours. Captures the beauty of the procession wonderfully.
A Former Expat says
Mine was traditional style and looking back, glad it was. My mother unfortunately made a scene as it was not a ‘Christian’ ceremony.
Lee says
That’s a pity, but as it was your day, glad to hear you were happy with the choice.
Willy says
We had our wedding photos taken in a photo studio in Atsugi, several months after we were married, somewhat informally, on our back porch here in Australia… I wore a bright yellow suit for that occasion… anyway, I always thought it strange in that photo session that I had to wear a ‘fat gut pad’ under the traditional Japanese hakuma to make me look more ‘manly’ …I envision a future in which the fat pad has been replaced by a 6-pack pad… oh the travails of tradition… he he.. anyway, mum-in-law insisted on the whole thing, and the resulting pics are hung on for all time our walls… just like the old times…
Lee says
Two contrasting photos there. A hakama and a bright yellow suit!
Interesting to hear about the ‘fat pad’. Nice to know that my slight paunch is manly too!
Hans ter Horst says
I recognize that fat pad, very puzzling: I had to wear a towel around my waist as well although I am carrying a spare tire naturally and could easily loose two stone without it making me look skinny 🙂