The bride, groom, and priests bowed in the courtyard of Meiji Jingu Shrine

A person's life is about 100 years at most. It is probably too short to feel cultural transitions. We tend to think that what existed when we were young has existed since time immemorial and will continue to exist in the future. In reality, however, cultures are changing day by day, moment by moment. Because it is changing so slowly, most people are unable to catch the changes. Therefore, they are unaware of the existence of "invention of tradition" in the world.

The term "invention of tradition" means that "traditions" that are supposed to have continued since ancient times are actually created. At first glance, this may seem like a simple play on words with contradictory words, but according to Eric Hobsbawm, who coined the term "invention of tradition," this is the result of the demand for "tradition" as society modernizes. It is a way to create a new consistency between the old traditions and the real world that has been lost in modernization.

If you look closely, there are many "invention of tradition" in the world. The tartan check kilt and bagpipes that have become symbols of traditional Scottish culture are examples, as is the Balinese kecak. In Japan, the Shinto wedding ceremony held at a Shinto shrine is a fine "invention of tradition." The Shinto wedding ceremony, which is now commonplace, is said to have been pioneered in the marriage ceremony of Emperor Taisho in 1900. It is not that old.

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