Japanese Immigrants in the Laundry and Restaurant Businesses

Picture Brides

Japanese immigration was eventually limited, however. In 1908, Japan and the United States held the “Gentleman’s Agreement” which limited Japanese immigration. After this point in time, becoming a picture bride seemed to be the easiest way for Japanese women to go to the States as well. This was form of arranged marriage, very common in Japan, during which a woman and a man’s pictures would be exchanged overseas to each other and each other’s families. After multiple rounds of negotiations, if the match seemed as if it would benefit both families, a wedding ceremony would be held. Only the bride would be present at the ceremony, located in Japan, and the groom need only sign a marriage certificate over in the U.S. After this, the picture bride could have legal passage to the United States in order to meet her new husband and begin her new life.
 

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