The Mouse’s Wedding

A long time ago there was a white mouse called Kanemochi, servant of Daikoku, the God of Wealth. His wife's name was Onaga. Both Kanemochi and his wife were very carefuldiscreet. They never ventured into the parlor or kitchen, by day or even at night. So they lived peacefully, without the riskNever in the day time nor even at night did they venture into the parlor or kitchen, and so they lived in tranquility free from danger of meeting the cat. Their only son Fukutaro also had a gentle naturewas of a gentle disposition. When he was old enough to marrytake a wife, his parents decided to find him a wife, give him their property and retireconcluded to get him one, transfer their property to him, and seek retirement. Fortunately, one of their relatives named Chudayu had a lovely daughter called Hatsuka. So they hired a matchmaker to discuss the marriage with ChudayuAccordingly a go-between was employed to enter into negotiations with Chudayu respecting the marriage. When the young folks were allowed to see each other, neither of themparty objected, and so presents were exchanged.

The bridegroom sent the bride the usual giftsarticles: an obi or belt, silk cotton, dried bonito fishsilk cotton, dried bonito, dried cuttle fish, white flax, sea-weed, and sake or rice wine. The bride sent the bridegroom in the same waylike manner: a linen outfit called a kami-shimokami-shimoExplanation: A kamishimo is a formal Japanese outfit. In this version, the bride’s gift is made of linen., dried bonito, dried cuttle-fish, white flax, sea-weed, fish, and sake. This confirmed the promise of marriage; thus confirming the marriage promise.

A lucky day was then chosen, and everything was prepared for the bride’s move to her new home. Her clothes were cut out and made, and everything she needed was boughtevery thing prepared for the bride's removal to her new home, her clothes were cut out and made, and needed articles purchased. So Chudayu was kept busy preparing for the wedding.

The parents made their daughter Hatsuka blacken her teeth as a sign that she would not marry a second husband. Theyhusband; they also carefully taught her that she must obey her husband, show respectbe dutiful to her father-in-law, and love her mother-in-law.

Meanwhile, Kanemochi cleaned his house inside and out, prepared for the wedding ceremony and feast, and gathered his relatives and friends. He sent many servants to meet the bride on her way and announce her approach, so everyone would be ready to welcome herKanemochi on his part cleaned up his house inside and out, made preparation for the marriage ceremony and feast, assembled his relatives and friends, and sent out many of his servants to meet the bride on her way, and to give notice of her approach, that all might be prepared for her reception.

Soon the bride came in her carrying chairpalanquin with her boxes carried before her, and a long processiontrain of attendants following her. Kanemochi went out as far as the gate to meet her, and ushered her into the parlor.

At the matchmaker’s signal, the bride and bridegroom exchanged three cups of sake to confirm their marriage bond. They took turns drinking three times from each cupa signal from the go-between the bride and bridegroom, to confirm the marriage bond, exchanged between themselves three cups of sake, drinking three times from each cup in turns. When this ceremony, the "three times three", was overthree" was ended, the guests exchanged cups with the bride as a sign of goodwill, and so the marriage ceremony was completedin token of good will, and thus the union was consummated.

Shortly afterwards the bride, her husband, and his parents visited her home. In the evening the bride returned home with her husband and his parents. She lived with them in harmony, contented, prosperous and happy, with much to celebrate.parents with whom she lived in harmony, contented, prosperous and happy, and much to be congratulated.