Jaycee Woods

In setting some of my draft short stories in Japan, I rely on Copilot for information to get some of the immersive detail to my story and validate my ideas.

Question: In Shinto, for a marriage to be valid, may the couple agree privately between themselves that they are married or must it require a ceremony?

In Shinto, a marriage ceremony is not legally binding, unlike Western weddings that involve signing a marriage certificate. The Shinto wedding, known as “Shinzen kekkon,” is a purification ritual that emphasizes the exchange of sake between the couple before they are married. However, there is no administrative link between the Shinto ceremony and the legal marriage. To make the marriage official, couples must apply for a marriage certificate separately at a city hall. So, while private agreement between the couple is significant, the formal ceremony itself does not constitute a legally valid marriage.

Question: So, in a fictional story, a dying patient asks her doctor to marry her; knowing that she is terminal without long to live he agreed as in part it will be her only chance to be married and have someone make offerings to her after death. To add ritual to their mutual agreement, should I have them drink sake together?

Certainly! In your fictional story, having the dying patient and the doctor drink sake together would be a beautiful and culturally resonant way to add ritual to their mutual agreement. Sake holds significance in Japanese culture, symbolizing purification, unity, and shared experiences. The act of sharing sake could represent their commitment to each other, even if it’s not a legally binding marriage.

Question: In the story, they consummate the marriage. He hoped that their unborn child might comfort her after death.

Their intimate union, fueled by the solemnity of their shared sake, becomes a poignant moment. The doctor’s hope for their unborn child to bring solace after her passing adds a bittersweet layer to their love story.

Question: In Shinto beliefs, may widows and widowers later remarry another spouse?

In Shinto beliefs, marriage is considered sacred, and Shinto weddings honor the divine spirits believed to reside in all things. While there isn’t a specific prohibition against widows and widowers remarrying, the focus is on the sanctity of the union. Shinto marriage consecrates a divine and human bond, creating an indissoluble connection between spouses under the benevolent gaze of the Kami1 2. However, it’s essential to note that Shinto practices can vary, and individual beliefs may differ. If you’re interested in exploring this further, consulting a Shinto priest or scholar would provide deeper insights into specific cases.