Feature exhibition: Marriage and Kuroda Family

-Gorgeous Wedding Ceremonies of Daimyo Feudal Lords and Behind the Scene-

When we think of the wedding ceremony of a daimyo feudal lord, we imagine something gorgeous, with beautiful costumes and props.  But in fact, marriage during that period wasn't only gorgeous but also politically inclined. For feudal lords, marriage was very important for the sake of the family. If they failed to make the right decision, it would hurt the family’s name, rank and future.

The most important decision for the family to make was to select the right wife for the lord. It determined what kind of relationship the family will have with shogun, the most powerful figure of the period.

Kuroda Nagamasa, the founder of the Fukuoka Clan, wanted to find him and his son a shogun relative to marry with.

The wedding ceremony of the period followed traditional wedding rituals of samurai family, which includes a long parade of the future wife, heading to the husband’s house acompanied by numerous servants carrying expensive wedding items. Each wedding item must have the image of family crests of both families. It took a long time to prepare these items. In this exhibition, we will be showing some wedding items with Tokugawa or Honda family crests, the most powerful families of the time.

The newlyweds dwelt in a newly-built palace in Edo. All the new servants for the lady of the family were hired there, and it costs the family a tremendous amount of money. The new lady was educated to be more sophisticated to meet the family and relatives’ expectations. 

Please come to the exhibition to learn more about marriage of Kuroda samurai family!

Posted by Takamura