Tradition Meets Change: Marrying the Eldest Son

Marrying the eldest son in a Japanese family used to mean signing up for a full-time job that included a hefty dose of tradition, from mastering the family’s secret miso soup recipe to managing multi-generational home dynamics. This role often went beyond just being a partner; it included being a caretaker, a mediator, and sometimes even a business manager if they owned a local enterprise.

Today, the script is getting a fun rewrite. Modern brides are remixing these traditional roles, balancing ancient customs with their own modern twists—think family meetings via Zoom or swapping out that secret miso recipe for gourmet fusion cuisine.