Editing Mariage in Rokugan (section)

===Part 2 – The Wedding Cerimony=== 


Traditionally, Rokuganese marriages are held in Shintao style, during the morning, in a Shintao shrine, whether at the family home or Shinsei temple. It is presided by a Shintao priest (a monk or house shugenja) who first holds the purification service of all present. Such a wedding is usually attended by members of both families and close relatives in addition, of course, to the couple to be united and the go-between. 


<b>The Religious Ceremony</b>: 
After a ritual by the priest, who summons the Kami to witness and bless the union, requesting their lasting favors on the newly-weds it is customary for the bridegroom to read an oath to keep faithful and obedient his wife and her needs in the married life (note that in Rokugani culture, “being faithful” to a wife means to care for all her physical needs (clothing, food, housing and servants), care for her and protect her). The wife receives a red ribbon to symbolize this oath -- this ribbon is then used by the priest to bound the hands of both bride and groom together, the bride's hand on top. 
The "San-San-Kudo" or ceremony of the Three-Times-Three Exchange of nuptial cups is then performed by the bridegroom and bride, where three sake cups are set in front of the couple – the bridegroom takes a drink of the first cup, then hands it to his bride who finishes it, and then he repeats the same thing with the second and third cups. 
The bridegroom and bride proceed to the family sanctuary or shrine to burn seven twigs of "Sakaki", a sacred tree, in honor of the seven main Fortunes. Drinks of Sake are then exchanged between members and close relatives of the both families to signify their union through the wedding. 


<b>The Changing of An Era</b>: 
During the whole wedding ceremony, the bride changes her clothes to symbolize the great change she is going through. In the morning, during the religious celebration, the bride wears fully white, the color of death, to show that she is considered dead to her family (this happens even if the bridegroom is the one marrying into the bride’s family). During the reception of the guests, later on, the bride begins removing pieces of clothing and adding new ones, this time of a bright red. Just before the lunch, the bride finally removes the heavy white kimono to reveal a magnificent red wedding dress underneath and present herself to the guests fully clad in red, which symbolizes her rebirth. Often, the red wedding dress is worth as much or even more than the entire dowry. 


<b>The Wedding Reception</b>: 
The newlyweds now welcome the guests at a lavish ceremony, which can have from 20 to 200 guests, and representatives of the Daimyos and even of the Emperor. The party begins with the introduction of the couple, who mingles and greets their guests. Afterwards, a meal is held, and several guests make contributions in the form of speeches, music, poetry and other forms of performance – or sponsor artists to do it for them. 
After the reception, it’s tradition that the mother of the family the bride married into takes her home to teach her how to handle a home and a married woman’s life. The husband leaves that very day for a pilgrimage to a holy place, where he will perform several ceremonies, including presenting incense to the seven Fortunes to pray for a happy marriage, and meditate on his new condition.