NEW YORK, July 5, 2011 (NYDN) – If your marriage didn’t work out save the tears, tissues and heartache and adopt the Japanese method. According to Reuters, divorce ceremonies have gained unprecedented momentum in Japan after the massive March earthquake and tsunami, followed by an ongoing nuclear crisis, which in turn resulted in many couples reassessing their relationships.
Surprisingly the ceremony that celebrates a couple’s split is eerily akin to the one that consummates their marriage. There is a special dress, a buffet for guests and ritual involving rings, though this time the rings are destroyed not exchanged, representing the end of the relationship.
Tomoharu Saito and his former wife Miki celebrated their separation days before they were set to file for divorce. Tomoharu was initially surprised at the ease at which they were able to let go, but in the end saw the benefits of the ritual.
“I did not think the ring could be crushed that easily, but it did,” he said.
“I was shocked but at the same time, I feel it helped me make a clean break.”
There is even further symbolism with regards to the ‘divorce dress.’ Miki chose a daisy-yellow summer dress. In Japan, daisies are believed to symbolize an “amicable or platonic relationship.”
Designer Akiue Go said he created the dress with emphasis on the back for a specific reason.
“I designed this dress so the woman’s back looks the most beautiful when she turns around and walks away,” he said.
How did this phenomenon start? Hiroki Terai, a 31-year-old former salesman, spotted a gap in the market and pioneered the divorce ceremony two years ago. Since then, he’s celebrated more than 80 breakups.
Miki Saito said the earthquake made her realize she wanted to be closer to her parents, who live in one of the areas badly affected by the quake.
“After the quake, my desire to go back and live with my parents grew stronger,” she said.
In a society where we are constantly bombarded with depressing stories about love gone awry, divorce ceremonies seem like a refreshing idea. After all who doesn’t enjoy a party?
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I’m a divorce attorney and I have been invited to dozens of divorce parties. It’s a huge thing and creates a method of closure. Not to mention, they are so much fun!
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