OSAKA -- After dealing with the usual prewedding chores of choosing venues, flowers, dresses, menus and guests, the young bride-to-be was faced with one final task: find a finger to go with her ring.
An unusual business called Arute was able to help by fitting the woman, who is missing the ring finger on her left hand, with an artificial digit to help make the ceremonial exchange of rings at her wedding run more smoothly.
Kawamura Artificial Limbs Co., which was established in 1946 and now boasts annual sales of 6 billion yen. Arute, a part of the company, specializes in trade in artificial human body parts. Workers at the unusual factory in Kita Ward say they can produce replacements for any body part lost in accidents or illness or missing due to congenital deformity.