"Where to Buy? A Guide to Preparing 'Yuinou Items' for Your Engagement Ceremony"

2019.06.25 published

Do You Have a Yui Ceremony or Not?

Once you decide to get married, the next thing to consider is whether or not to have a "Yui" ceremony＊

A Yui ceremony is a traditional ritual to formalize engagement.

Not only is there a personal proposal from the man to the woman, but a promise to "get married" is made officially by exchanging gifts from one family (parents) to the other.

There are two types of Yui ceremonies: "formal Yui," where a mediator is appointed and both families visit each other, and "simple Yui," which takes place at a single venue without a mediator. (Recently, the trend is to have a simple Yui ceremony in restaurants or hotels.)

The method of holding the Yui ceremony varies by region, so it's important to confirm the details with both families＊

➡ For more detailed articles about simple Yui ceremonies, click here＊

@nagisa_marry

What Are "Yui Gifts" and "Yui Return Gifts"?

To explain the flow of the Yui ceremony,

First, the groom's side prepares "Yui gifts," which symbolize prosperity, such as harmony, longevity, and fertility, to express their willingness to accept the bride as part of their family, and presents them to the bride's side.

Upon receiving the Yui gifts, the bride's side returns the favor by giving "Yui return gifts" and saying, "Thank you, I look forward to working with you."

Some brides may think that restaurants or hotels will prepare the Yui gifts and Yui return gifts, but it is necessary for the groom's side to prepare the Yui gifts and the bride's side to prepare the Yui return gifts.

(Originally, the parents should prepare these, but it is also acceptable for the bride and groom themselves to do so.)

Yui gifts and Yui return gifts can be purchased at department stores in the wedding and funeral sections.

Some wedding venues may also handle them, and everything you need can also be purchased online◎

This time, we will introduce Yui goods available on Rakuten. Let's prepare Yui gifts that match our style of Yui ceremony♩

@ch0c0_bride

Yui Goods Available on Rakuten (For Formal Yui Gifts)

In the case of a formal Yui ceremony, styles vary by region, but in any case, the most formal and highest-ranking arrangement consists of nine items. Simple versions with five or seven items are also available.

(Just like with gifts, having an even number of items is considered unlucky since it symbolizes "dividing into two," so arrangements are made in odd numbers.)

《Kanto Style》

The Kanto region in eastern Japan primarily follows the "Kanto style."

The nine items in the Kanto style are:

☑ List of items (Mokuroku)

☑ Long strip (Naganoshi)

☑ Gold envelope (Kinpō)

☑ Katsuobushi (dried bonito)

☑ Surume (dried squid)

☑ Kombu (seaweed)

☑ Tomoshiraga (white hair)

☑ Suehiro (folding fan)

☑ Yanagidaru (barrel)

➡ Look for Kanto-style Yui gifts here＊

《Kansai Style》

The Kansai and Chugoku-Shikoku regions primarily follow the "Kansai style."

It features luxurious Yui gifts adorned with Matsu-Take-Ume (pine, bamboo, and plum) ribbons.

The nine items in the Kansai style are:

☑ Nosh (gift wrapping)

☑ Suehiro (folding fan)

☑ Kosode-ryou (small garment fee)

☑ Yanagidaru-ryou (barrel fee)

☑ Matsu-Uo-ryou (pine fish fee)

☑ Takasago (takasago cake)

☑ Yubiwa (ring)

☑ Kombu (seaweed)

☑ Surume (dried squid)

In the Kansai style, the list of items is not included in the count of the nine items.

➡ Look for Kansai-style Yui gifts here＊

《Kyushu Style》

Kyushu primarily follows the "Kyushu style."

This region places a high value on the Yui ceremony and is characterized by additional tea and sake along with Matsu-Take-Ume ribbons.

The nine items in the Kyushu style are:

☑ Nosh (gift wrapping)

☑ Tea (Ocha)

☑ Suehiro (folding fan)

☑ Yui money envelope

☑ Kombu (seaweed)

☑ Surume (dried squid)

☑ Yanagidaru (barrel)

☑ Tomoshiraga (white hair)

☑ Yubiwa (ring)

➡ Look for Kyushu-style Yui gifts here＊

Yui Goods Available on Rakuten (For Simple Yui Gifts)

In the case of a simple Yui ceremony, the format does not change by region.

☑ Nosh (gift wrapping)

☑ Suehiro (folding fan)

☑ Yui money envelope

This three-item set is basic.

➡ Look for simple Yui gifts here＊

Yui Goods Available on Rakuten (For Yui Return Gifts)

The Yui return gifts prepared by the bride's side should generally be of the same level based on the customs of the groom's region.

Therefore, make sure to ask the groom in advance what kind of Yui gifts he is preparing so that the bride's side can also prepare Yui return gifts.

➡ Search for Yui return gifts on Rakuten here＊

Don’t Forget to Prepare Yui Gifts and Yui Return Gifts♩

While it is common for both families to prepare Yui gifts and Yui return gifts separately, recently, it has become common for the bride and groom to take on the main roles in carrying out the Yui ceremony, often selecting and purchasing Yui gifts themselves on sites like Rakuten.＊

The Yui ceremony is the first step toward a new beginning for both families. Some may see it as a stiff tradition!

However, as it is a traditional ritual appropriate for welcoming a new chapter in life, it's important for both families to discuss thoroughly and decide whether or not to proceed with the Yui ceremony◎

➡ For a list of articles about Yui ceremonies, click here＊

@1224.a.wd