The Kaiseki Dinner and Maiko Dances

Friday, April 8th, Evening

After the ceremony at Okazaki shrine, Peter and Amy were changed out of their kimono and had a short rest before dinner that evening. The venue was the historical Tokan-so, a famous ryotei (traditional gourmet restaurant) located on the north side of Maruyama park, right in the heart of Gion nearby such locales as Yasaka shrine, Kodai-ji temple and Chio-in temple. Ryotei, historically open only to the elite and wealthy, are seen as the epitome of Japanese cuisine and hospitality. They often dot the outskirts of Kyoto and feature a private garden and at times accommodation.

岡崎神社にて挙式をあげられたAmy様と Peter様は再びブライダルカーにてKyotoWeddingsへ戻りお着替え後お食事会の料亭へ移動されました。円山公園の東側高台寺、八坂神社、知恩院、祇園などの人気の観光地に囲まれた場所にあるのが東観荘です。レトロさと和風が混ざった落ち着いた料亭です。

Entering Tokan-so were surprised by the cherry blossoms arrangement decorating the entrance. The lobby also features a dry garden art piece designed by Tokan-so's owner, as well as a display of Noh drama costumes.

まず玄関をくぐると石畳ときれいに手入れされた中庭そして扉を開けると生け花がお出迎え

すべて東観荘のオーナー様がアレンジされるそうです！ロビーには枯山水のお庭を模型にしたテーブルオブジェ♬能の舞台としても使用される一角には和装が展示してあるんです！

細やかなところまで気をつくしたおもてなしですね。

The private dining room was located on the second floor and featured western table/chairs as well as an adjoining room for the maiko dance. The dinner menu included some traditional auspicious symbols to celebrate the occasion. For example, there were dishes in the shape of a crane and turtles, traditional symbols of happiness. There was also a container with a lid in the shape of a frog. The idea is that both parts (bride and groom) must work and match to make a whole, a wish for the well-being of the new bridal couple.

そしてお食事をされるお部屋には、帯のトップクロスで飾られたテービルと椅子海外の方は正座が難しいためテーブルと椅子は本当にうれしいですね♬八寸といわれる前菜には、お祝いの意味を込めた材料や器が使用されていました。例えば。。。鶴、亀の器→福寿、長寿蛤→蛤は同じ対の貝しか重なり合うことができないことから、家内安全や末長いご夫婦の縁を願う意味を込められています。お料理の材料にしたり器としても使用されることがあります。

The meal also featuring something everyone had been awaiting -- the arrival of the maiko. Two maiko from the Miyagawa district joined us that evening, Satono and Marufuku. Maiko are geisha in training from the ages of 15-20. Here they are performing one of two dances.
そして、お食事会のなかでもお二人が大変楽しみにされていたのが、舞子さんによる祝舞をご披露♬

Of course, during the meal we took a lot of photos with the maiko and enjoyed their conversation. Peter and Amy had a lot of questions, and we did our best to translate the conversation. It was the perfect way to end a special day: a beautiful full course kaiseki dinner and the company of maiko.

It was a pleasure meeting Peter and Amy and helping them organize their wedding in Kyoto. We wish them all the best and hope to see them again in Kyoto in the future!

もちろん、祝舞の後にはご一緒に撮影をされたりお話をされたりとゆっくり堪能して頂きました♬京料理も大変満足と完食！本当にすてきなお二人に出会えてご担当させていただき光栄でした！Amy様Peter様　お二人とご家族の末永いご多幸を願っております♬また、京都へお越し下さいませ！

The Japanese Bridal Car

After the kimono dressing was finished, the bride and groom moved to the shrine via a special bridal car. But this bridal is very different than western limousines. There are three special features:
1. There is a Chinese character for happiness painted on the car
2. Besides the doors, the roof of the backseats also open to make room for the Japanese bride's kimono and hood
3. To help the bride, there are reins on the back of the front seats for her to balance herself with

Wearing a white shiromuku kimono makes it very difficult to move. The reason why is because your body is basically wrapped in a thick comforter. And if the bride wears the traditional wig and kimono hood, that's another 20cm added to her height. So these are the reasons why the Japanese bridal car was invented!

Kyoto Weddingsが４月の挙式をご紹介します。さてさてお支度が完成したら新郎新婦様はブライダルタクシーにて岡崎神社まで移動です。ここでひとつ豆知識のご紹介！ブライダルカーってご存知ですか？名前の通りで婚礼仕様のタクシーなんです。なにが婚礼仕様かというと
①寿の文字がタクシーに書かれています。
②タクシーの天井がオープンカーのように開くんです！
③花嫁様が座りやすいように紅白の手綱がついています！

白無垢や打掛にかつらを身につけた花嫁様は大変動きにくくなります。なぜならば帯や着物を着用すると体にお布団を一枚ぐるりと巻き付けている大きさになるんです。しかも、かつらや綿帽子をかぶることにより頭からより１５㎝から２０㎝くらいは高さがでるんですね！なのでタクシーの乗り降りや移動中も座りやすい工夫が施されているんですねぇ！

Looks very elegant, doesn't it? Furthermore, to ensure safety, only experienced drivers can operate bridal cars. When the bridal car pulls up at the shrine, there is a certain excitement that the wedding is about to start.

かっこいいんですよ！しかも、このタクシーの運転手は、無事故無違反で技術的にも認められたベテランドライバーでないと運転できないんです。すごいでしょ！私は、このブライダルカーが到着すると’結婚式’が始まる！！ってワクワクするんです！

Wedding day! Getting Dressed

Friday, April 8th
This date is referred to as "tomobiki"on the Japanese calendar, auspicious for making connections and friends, so it's been a popular date for weddings. With cherry blossoms in bloom and the weather warm, the stage was set for Peter and Amy's wedding!

After arranging for a taxi to pick them up at their hotel, we went right into kimono dressing. Although I'm sure they were nervous, they were all smiles.

４月８日（金）友引
友引とは、日本では縁起の良いことが友にも引き付けるという
意味で祝い事には人気のあるお日にちなんですよ！！！
天候はあいにくの曇りですが、桜が満開で温かい日になりました！

本日は、大切なお客様Amy＆Peter様の神前式がとりおこなわれました

タクシーでホテルまでお迎えにあがり、早速お支度開始！
お二人は緊張されているかとおもいきや。。。
笑顔　笑顔　笑顔
楽しんでおられました！

Peter in black montsuki-hakama. Suits him very well, don't you think?
Peter様は、凛々しく黒の紋付袴

Amy being dressed in her white shiromuku kimono with a multi-layered collar and floral design. The kimono was processed to have a glitter to the surface. She looked fabulous. There were two stylists who helped dress Amy and do her make-up and hair. These attendants escorted her throughout the entire ceremony to make sure her kimono looked just right. 
   

Amy様は襟元に八重重ねと花結びの房があしらわれ、着物には虹色の輝く加工が施されている、美しさとかわいらしさが入った品のある華やかさが特徴的な白無垢をお選びになりました。こうしてお支度は順調に進みました！