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The Mouse's Wedding (1) The Betrothal Ceremony (Greetings between the two families and betrothal gifts)

2024年8月24日 11:49

This work is an 'akahon' (red book) of 'The Mouse's Wedding' published in the mid-Edo period. The publisher is Tsuruya Kiemon, one of the leading local wholesalers in Edo as depicted in the 'Edo Meisho Zue' (Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in Edo).

Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections 'Edo Meisho Zue, Volume 7 [1]'

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'The Mouse's Wedding' begins with the betrothal ceremony and proceeds through the wedding procession, the wedding ceremony, the birth of children, and the shrine visit. It is a delightful work featuring the adorable actions of the mice and witty dialogue.

Betrothal Ceremony: Cleaning

Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections 'Mouse's Wedding, Volume 2'

Change the water in the basin, wash the rags well, and wipe it down.
(Change the water in the basin, wash the rags well, and wipe it down.)

A servant mouse wiping the hallway with a damp cloth

I will make it shine as if it were covered in gold leaf.
(I will make it shine as if it were covered in gold leaf.)

A servant mouse sprinkling water at the entrance

Hey, hey, sprinkle the water I...
(Hey, hey, sprinkle the water I...)

If you do it like this, people will step on it.
Sprinkle it evenly so it doesn't pool.
(If you do it like this, people will step on it.)
(Sprinkle it evenly so it doesn't pool.)

It will be dry by evening.
Work hard and sweep it all up.
(It will be dry by evening.)
(Work hard and sweep it all up.)

Betrothal Ceremony: Greetings between the two families and betrothal gifts

This is, rather than as promised,
an unexpectedly extravagant betrothal gift.
(Rather than as promised)
(An unexpectedly extravagant betrothal gift)

* "Yuire" means betrothal gift. It refers to making a promise of marriage. Also known as "yuino."

It is indeed very polite.
(It is indeed very polite)

Please compare it with the inventory list.
(Please compare it with the inventory list)

Please come up here.
(Please come up here)

This is the best, I ask of you.
(This is the best, I ask of you)

* "Morohaku" refers to high-quality Japanese sake brewed with koji and steamed rice made from well-polished white rice.

Who is that, please receive the barrel.
(Who is that, please receive the barrel)

This is a gift for the miscellaneous group.
(This is a gift for the miscellaneous group)

Is it two hundred coins per bundle of paper?
(Is it two hundred coins per bundle of paper?)
Ten each ●● looks like.
(Ten each ●● looks like)

* "Gozattashu" likely refers to the miscellaneous group.

Please accept this as a token of celebration.
(Please accept this as a token of celebration)

It has exceeded me, more than that person.
(It has exceeded me, more than that person)

Come now, please raise your hands in gratitude.
(Come now, please raise your hands in gratitude)

I am grateful for your trouble in coming from afar □□□□□
Let us make the announcement.
(I am grateful for your trouble in coming from afar □□□□□)
(Let us make the announcement)

I am called Masu●nainu●.
From now on, let us speak in close confidence.
(I am called Masu●nainu●)
(From now on, let us speak in close confidence)

* "Bekkon" means to be on intimate terms. Familiarity.
* "Danjimasho" is likely "let us discuss."

Continue to the next story here ⇒ "The Betrothal Ceremony (Celebratory Feast)"

Author's note: ● indicates characters that could not be deciphered, and □ indicates missing characters.
I will update this as needed when I decipher new characters or notice typos/misreadings. For more details, please read the "Self-Introduction/Disclaimer." 📖