Ikuta Taisha - Shrine Ceremonies

Ikuta Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kobe. Founded by the Empress Jingu at the beginning of the 3rd century, it was once used as base for a festival welcoming back warriors after the last japanese invasion of Korea. The shrine's land was much larger back then, before the city of Kobe was built around it.

People visit shrines to pay respect to the Shinto gods (kami) and to pray for good blessings. But shrines are also visited during special events (such as during new year, shichi-go-san and other festivals). Traditionally, the religious japanese wedding ceremony is held in Shinto style at a shrine.

The bride wears a wedding kimono of white silk and the groom wears a black one, decorated with his family crest (kamon, fifth picture from top) in white. During the ceremony, a priest to conduct the ceremony - the couple is first purified, then asked to drink sake (three flat cups of rice wine). The sharing of sake is one of the oldest traditional japanese wedding ceremonial customs (san san kyu do, which means three sets of three sips equal nine) dating back to the 8th century, which symbolizes a formal bond between the bride and groom. Then the groom to read the words of commitment (marriage oath) and the 'I do' stuff.

The ceremony is usually visited by close family members of the couple. Non-family members don't usually attend the marriage ceremony itself, rather they go to the wedding reception (in japanese, kekkon hiroen).

Symbolic offerings are given to the god. During the wedding ceremony, the priest is supported by Shinto serving girls (miko). They must be unmarried and are often the priest's daughter.

If you are attending a Japanese wedding reception, you are expected to bring cash for a gift (called oshugi). The amount depends on your relationship with the couple and the region. Unless the fixed amount is indicated on the invitation card, the average is 30000 yen (approx. RM 1000) for a friend's wedding.

Shichi Go San means 'Seven Five Three'. Girls of age three and seven and boys of age three and five are celebrated on shichi-go-san, and it is prayed for their good health and growth. Girls will put on their prettiest silk kimono.

November 15 is shichi-go-san day. But because the date is not a national holiday, many families bring their children on weekends prior or after that day.

More about Kobe : The Great Hanshin Earthquake.