Toshimitsu Matayoshi, a past obuchi scholarship recipient and foreign exchange student from Okinawa, got married in Ryukyu traditional costume this past weekend. Â The ceremony and reception was held at the Shuri Nikko Hotel Grand Castle. Â The ceremony was followed by an elaborate 8 course dinner which took 2 hours to complete. Â During the dinner, the newlyweds roamed the tables and poured beer or awamori, and mingled with the guests. Â They also did a candle lighting ceremony and cake cutting. Â Toshi looked so nervous but happy, and relaxed with all the drink he was getting from friends and relatives. Â Toshi even danced the opening celebration number “kageyadefu” with his aunty. Â Othere entertainment followed, which included Okinawan dances, friends, and Norman and I played shimauta, and dedicated Miitubuni to them, as the words describe how a husband and wife should cooperate and work together through good and bad times, like a boat in the calm or stormy waters. Â Â Â Â
The evening ended with the lively kachashii, that wished the couple abundant happiness, prosperity and children.
Toshi now works for the Okinawa Times Newspaper Company as a reporter and journalist. Â His friends and bosses from the nespaper were present and all gave speeches describing him as a serious and dedicated individual. Â We wish T?oshi and his new wife all the blessings in their new life together.