Eddie Does Japan

On September 23, 2007, my best friend, Mitsuhiro, got married. For three days and three nights people barbecued, drank, passed-out, rallied, prayed and sung karaoke. I wish I could recall all the happenings at the various events I attended, explain all the subtle details and nuances of a traditional Japanese wedding and post lots of beautiful photographs from the weekend. But this, I’m afraid, is impossible for my attendance at Mitsuhiro’s wedding was contingent upon me doing the bride and groom one small favor… giving the toast at the wedding reception. Everything else is a blur that was induced either by nerves or alcohol or some combination thereof.

I can tell you this much. The actual marriage was a very small affair that was held at a shinto shrine, it took about an hour, vows were exchanged and sacred (i.e. really sour) sake was consumed by everyone. The main event was the reception, which was kicked off with speeches by the Mayor, a friend of the groom, a friend of a the bride and yours truly. Wine, beer and shochu were all served along with a two-tiered box full foods like lobster, braised pork, fried chicken and some other assorted meats and salads (see the picture below). The biggest shock was how many times the bride and groom changed outfits during the wedding reception. While I can’t say for sure, I think the number was somewhere around five. To be honest, the whole experience was a little overwhelming (and I wasn’t the one getting married!). Below is a copy of my wedding toast, in both Japanese and English.

My wedding toast as it was given in Japanese…

皆様, Hello。
Audience Response: Hello
欧米か！？

本日はさまざまな所から多数の人が集まて呉れました。。。鹿児島、東京、神戸、オーストラリア。種子島へようこそ!

今日はヤシオミツヒロさんとコハマるみさんの結婚式ですね。お目出度うご座います。

僕 は二年前種子島へ来ました。其れ以来ミツヒロさんは迚も良い友達です。何時もミツヒロさんのパーティーは素晴らしいです。凄い楽しかたですよ。みつひろさん、有り難うございます。

でも最近ミツヒロさんは鳥渡ブルーです。るみさんはオーストラリアで勉強してたのでミツヒロさんは寂しかたです。毎日ミツヒロさんは僕に電話しました。”イディ、焼酎を飲もう”。其れは大変でした。僕は彼女が居ます。ミツヒロさんと焼酎。。。彼女。。。其れは難しかたよ。

Aside to my girlfriend: Audrey、住みません。御免なさい。明日から僕は焼酎を飲みません。

ではるみさんは迚も頭がいい美人です。だからミツヒロさんはラッキーだともいます。ミツヒロさんとるみさん遺書一緒の生活は良いともいます。るみさんは塵を分けることができてミツヒロさんは料理することができます。完璧ですね。

スピーチは長過ぎて。住みません。皆様は飲みたいですね。

ミツヒロさんとるみさんオーストラリアで頑張って下さい。乾杯！

The English translation…

Hello everyone.
Audience Response: Hello
Are you a bunch of Westerners!?*

Many people from various places such as Kagoshima, Tokyo, Kobe and Australia have gathered here today. Welcome to Tanegashima!

Today is Mitsuhiro Yashio and Rumi Kohama’s wedding. Rumi and Mitsuhiro, Congratulations.

Two years ago I came to Tanegashima and since that time Mitsuhiro has been a very good friend. Mitsuhiro always throws great parties. They are awesome. Mitsuhiro, thank you. But recently Mitsuhiro has been a little blue. Rumi has been in Australia studying and Mitsihiro has been lonely. Everyday he calls me on the telephone and says, “Eddie, let’s get drunk on shochu.” This has been hard on me. I have a girlfriend. I had to choose between Mitsuhiro and shochu or my girlfriend. This was a very difficult decision!

Aside to my girlfriend: Audrey, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. After tomorrow I promise that I will never drink shochu again.

But seriously, Rumi is a very smart and beautiful woman and Mitsuhiro is very lucky to have her as his wife. I think they will have a great life together. Rumi can sort their trash** and Mitsuhiro can do all the cooking. It’s perfect, isn’t it?

I’m very sorry that this speech has been so long. Everyone wants to drink, don’t they?

Mitsuhiro and Rumi, best of luck in Australia. Cheers!

*This is a catch phrase used by a popular Japanese comedian. People laughed at it so I assume it worked.
**This is a reference to the speech made by the friend of the bride in which she recounted a story about how Rumi tried to teach Mitsuhiro how to sort his recyclables. After much difficulty she eventually gave up and just sorted the trash herself.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 4th, 2007 at 4:20 pm and is filed under Japanese Miscellany, Tanegashima. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.