I really don't have time to be doing this, but there have been an increase
in usage of traditional themes in Ranma fan fiction. I can't really speak
for many others, because I don't read them as much. So I may spend more
time on Olvido, here's a few tips.
First of all, weddings.
First, a go-between arranges (or the couple themselves in modern Japan) an
Omiai or Mi-Ai. This is a formal meeting between the future bride and
groom with their parents. It takes place months before the actual wedding
an is an oppurtunity for the people involved to get to know each other.
There is an awesome history of this as well as more wedding details here:
http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/Things/81.html
There is also an example of Yui-no there, which I hadn't known about! :)
This is a series of dinners and gift exchanging, one of the most important
gifts being of an Obi to the future wife. There is a list of various gifts
listed at the page, including the Tanagi-daru which seems to be the wine
cast that Happosai drank for Ranma and Akane's wedding.
Then you have to pick a favorable date. This is done through a series of
analyses done by a professional and various factors like blood type and
family line are included. This is usually where you would find out if the
family's lineage is "unclean." The ceremony for a traditional Shinto
wedding would be held in a shrine or a sanctuary. Usually just close
family and the aforementioned "go-betweens" are invited and after the
priest does a purification service for all present, he asks the older
members of the family and such to cast their favor on the young couple.
Then a more western exchange of vows is held and the couple performs the
"San-San_Kudo" ceremony. This is where they exchange three drinks of sake
and usually rings. The couple offer twigs to the sanctuary to worship the
gods, then the rest of the family gets drunk, er exchanges drinks of
sake. :) Christian ceremonies can also be performed, but keep in mind that
most of the people involved aren't Christian in the slightest. It's just
seen as a romantic affair mostly so the bride can wear a western style
wedding dress, just like in all the shoujo manga.
Interesting stuff about Christianity in Japan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2298.html
The reception is just as crazy as the actual ceremony is solemn. Red and
white decorations are everywhere and the bride sometimes changes as many
as three times during the whole thing. At some time though, she usually
wears a Tsuno Kakushi hood to hide her horns and show her obedience. Lum
would have to take this part to heart. :)
There are some further links here:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/2888/celebration-e.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2061.html
http://www.pref.yamaguchi.jp/e6_9803.htm
That's all I have time for today, I wanted to go over the kimono and such
involved, but that will have to be another time.
I hope you enjoyed and weren't bored out of your mind. Detail is
everything in writing and actually fun to write when you get used to
it. :)
Colleen
(anyone want a teaser for the next part of Olvido?)