BEYOND SPEECH ACTS: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SILENCE IN THE SHINTO MARRIAGE RITUAL

Abstract

Rituals and ceremonies in the Western tradition, give priority to the spoken word and various kinds of declarations. But in the Asian tradition, there is also an appreciation for the unspoken.  In this article, the researcher will examine the non-verbal communication which takes place in the Shinto marriage ritual. The marriage is accomplished without “words,” “announcements,” or “declarations.” The consummation of the marriage takes place when the couple quietly drinks the sacred liquid, three times in three different cups, for a total of nine times. It is only then the marriage is accomplished.  By investigating such a ritual in the Japanese culture or Eastern culture, the paper also suggests limits to Western speech act theory as developed by John Searle.