Noble Couples in Japan’s Heian Period
In the Heian period, nobles did not only use the "visiting marriage."
Other marriage types also existed.
Visiting marriage (also called "wife-questioning marriage") was common in the early Heian period.
But as time went on, marriage forms changed.
Changes in Marriage Forms During the Heian Period
Visiting Marriage / Wife-Questioning Marriage
This was common from the Nara period to the early Heian period.
The man visited the woman’s home at night.
He went back to his own home in the morning.
The children were raised by the wife’s family.
Living with the Wife’s Family
This form became popular in the middle Heian period.
The couple lived with the wife’s family from the start.
Later, they moved to a new house.
The new house was given by the wife’s parents or by the husband’s parents.
Independent Living
This became popular in the later Heian period.
The couple lived on their own from the start.
They lived in a house provided by the wife’s parents.
Marriage by Taking a Bride
This was done by some people.
Only the main wife lived with the husband in his house in her later years.
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The writing is my own English translation of a Japanese story from the 10th century.
Please do not copy or use it.