White Honikin For Temple Wedding: Japanese Women's Choice

Japanese weddings can be Shinto-style, Christian-style, or a mix of both. Shinto weddings are held at a shrine, while Christian-style weddings are held at a church. In a Shinto wedding, the bride and groom wear kimonos, with the bride wearing a shiromuku, a pure white, embroidered silk kimono, or an iro-uchikake, a brightly coloured silk kimono. In a Christian-style wedding, the bride usually wears a white dress. So, Japanese women can wear a white honikin (kimono) for a temple wedding, but it is not common as white is the colour worn for funerals in Japan.

Japanese women can wear a white kimono called a shiromuku for a temple wedding

Japanese weddings are steeped in rich traditions and symbolism, and the bridal wardrobe is no exception. The kimono is a staple garment in Japanese wedding ceremonies, with both the bride and groom expected to change into different kimonos for various parts of the day.

For the wedding ceremony, the bride traditionally wears a kimono called an Uchikake, which features vibrant, extravagant designs and decorations. After the ceremony, the bride changes into another kimono, often featuring lavish gold and silver threads, for the celebratory meal.

One type of kimono that Japanese women can wear for their wedding ceremony is the Shiromuku, a white kimono that is considered the most formal type of wedding kimono. The Shiromuku is an all-white ensemble, with both the kimono underneath and the overcoat in pure white, though some versions may include small amounts of red, pink, or other accent colours. The white colour of the Shiromuku symbolises purity and cleanliness, and it also indicates that the bride is ready to take on the colours of the groom's family.

The Shiromuku is derived from the wedding attire of Samurai families and consists of four parts: a large white hood called a Wataboshi, a ceremonial fan, a headband called a Tsunokakushi, and an ornamental hairstyle. The outer robe is designed in the style of medieval Japan and features a trailing hem called a Kekashita. The Wataboshi, or bridal kimono hood, is similar to the "katsuki", an outdoor hood worn by married women in Samurai families during the Muromachi and Momoyama periods. The Tsunokakushi, or "hiding horns", is a traditional hairpiece that symbolises the bride's willingness to be obedient and gentle to her husband.

The Shiromuku is typically worn for weddings held in shrines, but it can also be worn for temple weddings. It is often paired with white tabi socks and zori sandals.

The shiromuku is worn with a wataboshi, a hood that covers the bride's face

The shiromuku is a type of wedding kimono worn by brides in Japan. It is all white, including the over-robe, under-robe, obi sashi, and other accessories. The shiromuku is derived from the dress of the samurai classes and is worn with a wataboshi, a hood that covers the bride's face. The wataboshi is a symbol of innocence and purity and is derived from the katsuki, a hood worn outdoors by married women in samurai families during the Muromachi to Momoyama periods. It is now worn as the equivalent of the bridal veil in Western tradition. The wataboshi is only worn outside and only with the shiromuku, and it is removed during indoor receptions.

The shiromuku is worn primarily for shrine weddings but can also be used for temple weddings. The all-white ensemble is said to symbolise the sun's rays and the bride taking on the colours of the groom's family. The wataboshi, or bridal kimono hood, serves a similar function to the veil in Western wedding traditions, hiding the bride's face from all except the groom until the end of the ceremony. The wataboshi is also derived from the samurai classes, originally worn to protect from dust and cold.

The shiromuku is a formal kimono, worn over the actual kimono and obi, which are left unfastened. The kimono underneath the shiromuku is also white, though some variants include small amounts of red, pink, or other accent colours. The shiromuku is often rented, as a new kimono can be very expensive. The wataboshi is always white and is only worn outdoors with the shiromuku.

The bride's ensemble may also include a wig (katsura) and traditional hair accessories. The wataboshi is one of two popular headdress styles for brides, the other being the tsunokakushi, which covers the high topknot of the wig and symbolises the bride's resolve to be gentle and obedient.

The shiromuku is also worn for shrine weddings

The shiromuku is a bridal ensemble that includes a white kimono and obi, with a colourful overcoat. It is primarily worn for shrine weddings but can also be worn for temple weddings. The shiromuku is a formal and traditional wedding attire, with the kimono and overcoat both in white, although some variants may include small amounts of red, pink, or other accent colours. The shiromuku is often worn with a range of hair treatments and accessories, such as fans, bags, and ornaments.

The shiromuku is one of the options for traditional wedding wear in Japan, which also includes the white kimono with a colourful uchikake overcoat, or a gorgeous traditional kimono. The variety of options for traditional wedding attire in Japan is extensive. The shiromuku is derived in part from the dress of the samurai classes and is considered a symbol of innocence and purity. It is typically made of silk or imitation silk and is usually rented rather than purchased due to the high cost.

The Shinto wedding ceremony, also known as "marriage before the kami" or "marriage before the gods," is a popular choice for Japanese weddings. It involves rituals such as ceremonial sake drinking and offering small branches of the sacred sakaki tree to the Shinto deity. The bride and groom typically wear kimonos, with the groom wearing a black montsuki kimono and the bride wearing either the shiromuku or the iro-uchikake.

The shiromuku, with its white colour and elegant design, is a beautiful choice for brides who want to incorporate traditional elements into their wedding attire, especially for shrine weddings.

Brides who choose a western-style wedding often wear a white wedding dress

Japanese weddings today are a mix of elements from both Japanese and Western traditions. Western or Christian-style weddings make up about 50% of wedding ceremonies in Japan, while secular and Shinto ceremonies account for around 30% and 20% respectively. Brides who opt for a Western-style wedding often wear a white wedding dress.

The tradition of the white wedding dress is believed to have originated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding gown in 1840. This custom spread throughout Britain and to many other countries around the world, including Japan, in the 20th century.

Brides who choose a Western-style wedding today have a wide variety of white wedding dresses to choose from. Some popular styles include:

• Boho
• Corset
• Victorian
• Bell sleeve
• Long sleeve lace
• Strapless
• Crop top

Western-style weddings in Japan are usually performed in gardens and chapels. Brides who choose a traditional Japanese wedding, on the other hand, rarely purchase their formal wedding attire. Instead, they typically rent their ensembles, which can include a kimono, innerwear, accessories, and more.

White wedding dresses were popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840

In Japan, wedding attire depends on the style of the wedding ceremony. For a Western-style wedding, the bride usually wears a white dress, veil, and flowers. For a traditional Japanese wedding, the bride wears a kimono, which can be colourful or white.

White wedding dresses are commonly associated with purity and virginity. This trend was popularised by Queen Victoria when she wore a white wedding dress in 1840. The dress was made from heavy silk satin and trimmed with Honiton lace. This style of dress was considered a bold choice at the time, as white was the colour of mourning.

Queen Victoria's choice of wedding dress was a break from royal custom. Previously, royal brides typically wore silver or gold to signify their royalty. Victoria's decision to wear white was influenced by her desire to be seen as a wife rather than a queen. She also wanted to support the British industries that made the materials for her dress, which were in decline.

The trend of wearing white wedding dresses caught on quickly and spread across Britain and many other countries, including Japan, in the 20th century. However, it is worth noting that Queen Victoria was not the first royal to be married in white, and white wedding dresses did not become common among the wider public until the 1950s.

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