Miai

Miai (見合い^?, "matchmaking", literally "looking at one another") or omiai (お見合い^?) is a Japanese traditional custom in which unattached individuals are introduced to each other to consider the possibility of marriage. "Miai" or "omiai" is sometimes translated as an "arranged marriage" in other languages. Miai has done for centuries in Japan what can be described as "a meeting opportunity with more serious considerations for the future."

Some Japanese people consider that descriptions of miai in non-Japanese languages do not match reality in Japan.Ren'ai kekkon (恋愛結婚^?, lit. "love marriage"), a Western ideal introduced after World War II, is sometimes seen in contrast with "miai marriages" when translated. Therefore, they feel that foreigners have misconceptions that the two are incompatible and that "miai marriage have less love" or that "there is strong interference by parents." The same people believe that marriages that result from an introduction through a miai meeting can lead to a "love marriage," as the process of courtship can lead to a couple deciding not to get married.

The practice of miai emerged in 16th century Japan among the samurai class to form and protect strong military alliances among warlords to ensure mutual support. Later, during the Tokugawa period (1603–1868) the practice of miai spread to other urban classes trying to emulate samurai customs. Miai was a solemn practice and involved considerations that aren't given as much weight by most modern Japanese, such as family bloodlines and class. This type of miai is usually seen portrayed in films and television dramas.

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