#omiai

Arranged marriage, a tradition deeply rooted in various cultures around the world, has long been a subject of fascination, curiosity, and sometimes even controversy. While the concept might seem archaic to some, arranged marriages continue to thrive in many societies, albeit often evolving to accommodate modern sensibilities. In this essay, we delve into the complexities and dynamics of arranged marriage, exploring its historical significance, cultural variations, societal impacts, and the evolving attitudes towards this age-old institution.

Understanding Arranged Marriage

Arranged marriage, as the name suggests, is a union orchestrated by families or intermediaries, where the individuals involved often have little to no say in choosing their life partners. Unlike love marriages, where individuals typically meet, court, and decide to marry based on mutual affection, arranged marriages are founded on familial considerations, such as social status, financial stability, cultural compatibility, and familial alliances.

Historical Context

The practice of arranged marriage can be traced back thousands of years, with its origins deeply embedded in cultural, religious, and socioeconomic norms. In many ancient civilizations, marriages were strategic alliances between families, aimed at consolidating power, acquiring wealth, or preserving lineage. The concept endured through the centuries, adapting to changing social structures and norms.

Cultural Variations

Arranged marriage manifests in diverse forms across different cultures, each with its own rituals, traditions, and expectations. In some societies, such as India, Japan, and parts of the Middle East, arranged marriages are still prevalent, with families playing a central role in matchmaking. Conversely, in Western cultures, where individual autonomy is highly valued, arranged marriages are less common, though they do exist within certain immigrant communities.

The Role of Family and Community

Central to the institution of arranged marriage is the involvement of families and sometimes entire communities in the matchmaking process. Parents, relatives, and trusted intermediaries often take on the responsibility of finding suitable matches based on criteria deemed important for marital success. This involvement underscores the collective nature of marriage, where familial interests often supersede individual desires.

Navigating Tradition and Modernity

In recent decades, the dynamics of arranged marriage have undergone significant transformations, influenced by globalization, urbanization, and changing societal norms. While traditional arranged marriages were strictly arranged by parents without the consent of the individuals involved, contemporary arrangements often involve greater agency for the prospective partners. Many modern arranged marriages incorporate elements of compatibility testing, courtship, and mutual consent, blurring the lines between arranged and love marriages.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite its prevalence and adaptation to modernity, arranged marriage is not without its challenges and controversies. Critics argue that the practice can perpetuate gender inequality, restrict individual freedom, and lead to marital dissatisfaction and even abuse. Additionally, the pressure to conform to familial expectations and cultural norms can create immense stress for those involved, particularly for individuals who do not wish to participate in arranged marriages.

Gender Dynamics

Gender dynamics play a significant role in arranged marriages, with traditional notions of masculinity and femininity often shaping marital expectations and responsibilities. In many cultures, women are expected to prioritize familial harmony and obedience over personal autonomy, while men are tasked with providing for and protecting their families. These gendered expectations can influence the power dynamics within arranged marriages and contribute to inequalities.

Shifting Perspectives

Despite its challenges, arranged marriage continues to endure, albeit in evolving forms. In some cases, arranged marriages are celebrated for fostering stability, commitment, and familial bonds. Proponents argue that the involvement of families can provide valuable support and guidance, setting the foundation for successful partnerships. Moreover, arranged marriages are often viewed as a means of preserving cultural traditions and heritage in an increasingly globalized world.

Marriage Arrangement Aamboku

Conclusion

It’s the third time in a row in which Katsuki swipes his finger over his phone to reject the call of his mother, when he gets the text. He growls at it, stands and scares the minions in his office in the process.

“If this is all, I need to leave.”

“But Bakugou-san, we still need to discuss next month’s budget adjustments. We were way over-“

Hideyuki was talking a stroll around Tsurui, stopping occasionally at villager's house to see how his people live. When he arrived home, he found stacks of red envelopes. Raising his brows he sighs and opens them one by one.

Shaking his head, he wrote rejection reply one by one. When he's done, he gives them to Takeshi to be sent.

"My lord, what about that one?" the old retainer points at one envelope fallen on the side of the desk.

Hide sighs and chuckles "Let's meet this one then" he picks up the envelope and opens it. Inside is a letter of introduction written by a Nakodo

Fujiwara-Sama,

The daughter of Lord Sozen Kiyohara has become available for an omiai.

Please consider and contact me to arrange the first meeting and contact promptly as the candidate is eager to match swiftly.

Attached is her painting and rirekisho (resume).

Kiyohara no Miyuki

Age: 25

Health: Recently cured of lifelong illness, not inherited

Education: Highly educated by private tutors

Family: Kiyohara family, Daimyo of Fukushima

"Kiyohara? isn’t Sozen-Sama was Chichi-Ue rival when they were younger?" he looks intrigued, pondering for a moment before writing a reply

"Fujiwara No Hideyuki agrees to an Omiai meeting with lady Kiyohara. When the winter sun is at the highest peak of the sky, three days from now in House of Sparrows"

Three days later, The House of Sparrows

The meeting room is quiet and tranquil, only the faint sound of Shishi-Odoshi can be heard. Hideyuki had waited an hour after the appointed time. He sighs “Typical, probably did not actually wish to attend this Omiai”

He was about to leave when the sliding door opening can be heard. A Raen woman matching the depiction of the painting steps in. A black cat in tow.

Miyuki Kiyohara pulls back the paper door and enters the room. She turns and bows to him.

"Lord Fujiwara."

Her voice is smooth like velvet and her speaking is as expected of a noblewoman.

"I thank you for inviting me."

The black cat sits properly next to Miyuki as if also bowing.

After the tea ceremony, he hands over the paper containing his birth date, hour, and the auspice that govern the hour. Miyuki performed the same thing.

The Nakodo study and match the two papers. The Omiai will not continue if their birthday is not a good match.

Nodding in confirmation, Hideyuki starts to introduce himself formally

After both converses, they reach the conclusion that both really do not look forward to being tied in a loveless marriage. Moreso with Miyuki.

The Raen lord decides to leave first, so to spare Miyuki’s father shame had he known it was her daughter that requested for Hideyuki to reject her. While his unmarried status continues to become the gossip of Hinganshi, another rejection will not undermine his reputation further.

A voice stopped him when he was about to leave, Miyuki catching her breath and voiced her request. She seems to be keen to become a friend instead.

"I...could?" he replies with uncertainty

"But your father might think that we are tricking him if we meet again..? also what will the other nobles say about it. While I do not care for my reputation, I do care about yours" he smiles faintly

"In secret, perhaps...? Please understand, Lord Fujiwara. I have never had a friend beside Yozora before. I would like a chance to get to know someone like myself. Someone who understands." The Raen replies with a tinge of pleading in her tone

Hideyuki ponders for sometimes "How about this.... I usually would relax at Rakusui garden after my work for the day is done. I will be there at the hour of rooster. You can simply take your afternoon stroll and happen to see me there" he nods

"I do not mind to become your friend"

With few last words of courtesy exchanged, the Raen Daimyo step out into the snowy Hinganshi...

I’m having a stinky sort of week despite today being my birthday, with car issues, family drama, work stress, you name it, so I’ve decided to treat myself with indulgent self-promotion. I’ve only written a handful of things so far for the Hannibal fandom, because I only got back into writing in a big way this past spring, but here they are... I hope you’ll be willing to give them a look. If you have read them and enjoyed them, please consider reblogging this post and/or leaving a comment, kudos or bookmark.

Very few things make me happier than getting a comment, and I try to reply to every one. I see a comment is the opportunity to start a conversation. I met my best friend when we commented on each others fanfic, years ago, and now we live down the road from each other and hang out all the time.

What The Water Gave Me (current WIP)

In the summer of 2011, psychiatrist and FBI consultant Dr. Hannibal Lecter travels with a crack forensic team to the murder capital of America to assist the New Orleans field office in hunting a possible serial killer. But bodies aren't the most interesting thing he finds when the water starts to rise.

Or, what would have happened if Will never left Louisiana?

Speaking of self-indulgence, this is 11 chapters so far of me writing about the area where I grew up. Hannibal is FBI here, and Will an outside consultant. The POV is Hannibal’s, which I have been having a lot of fun with. Chapter 12 will probably go up later today. I’ve been updating once or twice a week.

So if you’ve ever wanted to read complicated casefic about Hannibal being attacked by annoying insects and trapped in shitty motels, and Will being confident and mysterious and working with his hands, please join me on this journey :)

(I promise at least one person will be eaten by an alligator before we’re through.)

Omiai and Kekkon

Will acquires a murderous secret admirer, and learns how much easier the habit of violence can be with an enthusiastically willing target.

A courtship through blood and… other means of influence.

and

In the aftermath of the Chesapeake Ripper's latest killing spree, Jack Crawford puts together the pieces the Ripper and his accomplice left behind. 

This series is the first thing I posted in this fandom. Here’s the basic idea - I love love love the dynamic at the end of Fromage, where Hannibal deliberately does just badly enough in the fight with Tobias to be sympathetically beat up, and the way he and Will look at each other in his office. I took that moment, and Hannibal’s apparent excitement form season 2 at the idea of Will wanting to indulge his violence on Hannibal himself, and all the images of Hannibal bound and battered, and turned that into a fic about Hannibal using the appearance of vulnerability to bring out Will’s darker side.

At the same time, it’s also a story about courting by murder. The title and chapter titles come from the Japanese form of brokered or arranged marriage, where the potential matches go through a sort of vetting process before they actually meet.