The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CUSTOM

JAPANESE MARRIAGES ARE ARRANGED BY CUSTOM. IT IS NOT AN AFFAIR
OF TWO INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES BUT CONTRACTS BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES
(WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHER BY A MATCH-MAKER OR 'NAKAODO') OF
EQUAL SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL BACKGROUND. SINCE THE AMERICAN
OCCUPATION, THIS CUSTOM HAS BECOME LESS PREVALENT, BUT NONETHELESS,
IS GENERALLY PRACTICED BY THE LARGE MAJORITY OF JAPANESE UPPER AND
OLD FAMILIES.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE FROM EXPERIENCE WHILE LIVING IN JAPAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 08-01-1964