Yui-no is a traditional Japanese ceremony where the parents of an engaged couple meet, have dinner, and exchange gifts. Usually they meet on a lucky day in the almanac. The main gifts exchanged are an obi (sash for kimono) given to the bride-to-be, and a hakama (skirt-like pants) given to the groom-to-be.
Then other gifts will be presented:
Naga-Noshi: A decoration made from
abalones, which used to be very important in
trading in Japan. Given to show
sincere wishes of gift-giver.
Mokuroku : A
list of all the gifts being given.
Katsuo-bushi : Dried
bonito, used for making soup base or can be eaten alone. And very tasty, I might add. Especially if salted and rolled in seaweed...mmm.
Surume : Dried
cuttlefish. This and the katsuo-bushi are
symbolic of quality that lasts.
Konbu :
Seaweed or
kelp knots. Symbolic of strong
breeding, wishes for a large
family.
Shiraga :
Hemp fibers symbolic of ties and
cooperation in marriage. Spelled
phonetically it also means "
white hair", wishing for the couple to
grow old together.
Suehiro : A fan, a symbol of
happiness and expanding horizons.
Yanagi-daru : A
wine cask. Money may be given in its place, if
sake wine is wished.
A small gift of money is usually exchanged as well, along with a list of all family members.
(Thanks to http://mothra.rerf.or.jp for some info, and to Kenji Yokohama for detailed cultural info)