JAPANESE WEDDING CUSTOMS
The Japanese (1) ____ of “san-san-kudo”, the three-by-three exchange is rich with (2) ____. It is performed by the bride and groom and both sets of cups. The first 3 represent three couples, the bride and (3) ____, and their parents. The second 3 represent three human weaknesses: hatred, passion, and ignorance. “Ku” or 9 is a lucky number in Japanese cultural, and “do” means escape from the three weaknesses.
Another highlight of this ceremony is a rosary with 21 beads that represent the couple, their families and the Buddha all joined on one string to symbolize the (4) ____ of the families. Part of the ceremony involves honoring the parents with (5) ____ of flowers, a toast, or a letter expressing their (6) ____ and gratitude.
The crane is a symbol of longevity and prosperity and so 1,001 gold origami cranes are folded to bring (7) ____, good fortune, longevity, and peace to the marriage.
The bride traditionally wears two outfits: the shiro, which is a white kimono worn for the (8) ____ and the uchikake kimono which is a patterned brocade worn at the reception.
Plenty of courses are served during the reception, but never in a multiple of four because the number four sounds like the word for (9) ____ . Additionally, the different foods served all have special meanings, for example lobster might be several because red is a (10) ____ color or clams served with both shells symbolize the couple's union.
1. A. bride B. ritual C. law D. difference
2. A. meaning B. regulation C. multiple D. note
3. A. condition B. culture C. relation D. groom
4. A. location B. shell C. union D. gratitude
5. A. wraps B. proves C. offers D. improves
6. A. love B. make C. hate D. life
7. A. nervous B. sad C. luck D. bad
8. A. inclusion B. ceremony C. approach D. creation
9. A. life B. depth C. wedding D. death
10. A. trouble B. problem C. confliction D. lucky
