The Japanese Marriage Ceremony Promotional Brochure by Department Store

Kobe, Japan: William Rae, 1930. General wear.. This tri-fold pamphlet details the Japanese wedding ceremony, starting from the arrangement of the couple by their family, to their wedding ceremony and what life for the bride is like after the wedding. The pamphlet was created by William Rae as a way of stirring interest in Japan and its culture in order to sell items from his store in Kobe, Japan. He sold a variety of household goods, such as table wear, kitchenware, jewelry, cabinets and screens. While the store was located in Japan, the store sold items that were decorated in a variety of 'oriental' motifs, mainly directed towards a western audience. The front of the pamphlet has a colorful and stylized engraving of the Japanese wedding ceremony. The back has a list of items the store sold, as well as a directions on ordering items either by mail or in person at his store in Japan. The advert emphasizes that he had "over 1000 different sets, always kept in stock. Measures 7" x 5 1/4" (folded).