The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-11-25
The japanese Emperor, His Personal
Appearance and Speeches.
His Style OF Dress and the Materials and
Color Of His Costume.
Immense Assemblage Of Natives and Foreign
ers-Peculiar Manner Of Manifesting 10y
alty-Eastern Sports and Music-The Tel
egraph Opening" to Come or with
Great Solemnity Lever.
ages for the Elevation and IL
Illumination Of the Asiatioa

YOKOHAMA, Oct %, 1872
The ninth day OF the ninth month October 1I) was
vhe day originally selected for the State opening OF
the railway between Yokohama and Jeddo. This day
10 holiday throughout China and Japan. 1t is the
harvest holiday and corresponds nearly in time and
IN it's objects to the Jewish holiday called the Feast
Of Booths. At this period the Japanese for the first
time put on their holiday Winter attire and enjoy
themselves generally for two days. Preparations
were made then to have the imperial celebration
come OF on that day. But from the 5th OF october
70 the night OF the 10th 1t rained necessarily, and
the opening of the road was deferred until the 18th
OF October. The weather of the 18th and 18th was
just suited for such an occasion, but the 18th we
had more rain, and confidently anticipated another
vet day for the celebration. 1t had been decided
chat no more postponements should be allowed,
and the road was to be
OFFICIALLY OPENED
On the 14th, rain or SHINE.
Fortunately the weather on that day was all that
could be desired. The sun shone out g0riously
bright, and the temperature was just what it
should have been for an Autumn holiday.
POPULAR OVATION IN HONOR OF THE CEREMONIAL.
Between seven and eight O'Clock A. M. crowds OF
Japanese began to flock to the station at YOko-
aama. At the latter hour special train was to
galway officials members Of the press and other
invited guests to the capital The foreign CON-
munity OF Yokohama had made a holiday OF the
OCCASION all banks stores and other places OF bust.
ness being closed The Yokohama station was
handsomely decorated with evergreens, real and
artificial flowers and various national nags. In
the front of the station large pavilion
had been erected, the upper part OF
which formed sort of dvan, with q
raised dais, upon which handsomely lacquered
chair was placed for His Imperial Majesty. On
either side Of this divan were the accommoda-
lions for the foreign residents OF Yokohama, all OF
whom, upon application, had been provided with
tickets OF admission to the station. From the
divan covered and carpeted path led right
through the station to the place where the cars
stood.
THE ENGINES AND CARS
were profusely decorated with evergrcens and
Gags, and
THE TRAIN
consisted Of twelve cars with the imperial car in
She centre. This latter is merely an ordinary first
class car, with the Mikados crest In gilt on the
outside The inside was furnished with cushions,
covered with yellow brocaded SILK, and red silk
curtains were hung at the windows.
few minutes after eight O'Clock the train
started for Jeddo to meet the imperial cortege
which was to start from the castle at about the
&iuc Tile tfaIu WOulu aTElVc al the JeuuO StatlOn.
The JeddO station was similarly decorated as at
Yokohama. 1t also had a long covered way lead.
Ing to space where was placed throne. The
crowd outside the gates OF the station was enor-
a0us. Twice the gates gave way-not from any
violence the part Of the crowd, but simply from
Abe immense pressure OF the dense multitude.
IMPERIAL PRESENCE AND CITIZEN RECEPTION.
Punctuay at nine O'Clock the imperial cortege
left the castle. First came body Of trumpeters.
These kept blowing what may be the national
air-only it was a very monotonous tune. A COM
pany Of cavalry followed the trumpeters. Then
came the
IMPERIAL CARRIAGE,
drawn by four horses-American bays. In the
carriage with His Majesty sat A. Mia, cousin OF
Che Emperor and son of a gentleman who Is now
travelling in Europe. The Mikado's carriage was
escorted by body OF troops dressed in red pants,
green jackets ana cooked hats with enormous
planes, with blankets, knapsacks, &C, strapped
70 their backs-ln TACT, in full marching order.
THE PRIME MINISTER
and other Ministers OF the government; then the
governor Of Tokei and some thirty ex-knges ana
dalmiOs. In this order the procession reached the
On his arrival the Mikado was received by the
The procession marched through the station, the
foreign ministers and several Japanese officials
standing on either side.
AS the Mikado marched along he bowed with
machine.like motion, at regular intervals, to the
right and left.
In the meantime
BAND OF JAPANESE MUSIC
was heard from. was going to compare the
sounds that emanated from that band to drge;
but have never yet heard dirge to equal it. II
you can imagine about thirty sick pigs squealing,
Six cOnsumptves, with very bad coughs, expecto.
rating, and about a dozen handsaws being ground
all working together-you might possibly form some
idea OF this magnificent symphony. This lasted
AL the time the Imperial procession was marching
al
OF oil present, the music stopped. The whole party
then took their seats in the train to go to Yoko-
hama, where the first OF the ceremonies was TO
SCENE AT THE YOKOHAMA TERMINUS.
Arriving at the Yokohama station the procession
ao0k up its line OF march to the divan where the
throne was placed. Japanese music, as at Jeddo.
Al the pavilion, and the moment the head Of the
procession showed itself this band struck up some
tune loud enough to drown the noise OF the Japa-
His Majesty then took his seat upon his chair.
Behind him were three attendants dresse in gor-
Of petticoat reaching to the heels. The dresses
we're all Of silk OF different coors, the color alone
aenoting the rank OF wearer.
MS MAJEsrY's PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
The Mikado Is young man ofabout twenty-three
ysars o. age Of good height for Japanese about
S%ssy lace oval with De piercing eyes assp
thick, and very large; lips thick and protrudinr,
giving o very sensual expression to the mouth;
Chin 6Enal anu somewhat pointed. Altogether his
appearance is by no means pre- possessing and were
II not fOr his eyes he would be decidedly ugly. lie
Wos
IN white satin pantaloons, Of course, Of japanese
make and shape, lavishly embroidered with the
imperial cResf, the Chrysanthum; very heavy silk
upper garment OF a deep orange color, lined and
trimmed with red satin; black cap OF tri.
angular shape, which just rested the top OF his
bead and was kept In Its place by white silk cords
vnlcn were passed down the cheeks and across the
cnin. from the back part OF the cap, what appeared
70 DC long plume stood up Ii was about eighteen
incnes nigh and two inches wide II was OF black
iace, anu was conNned in frame OF either whale
His feet were encaved in very handsome embroId-
cred slippers made n la chinois
THE ROYAL SPEECH
Upon His Majesty taking his seat he read little
speech, as f0ll0ws:-
Ihave opened in person the railway between TokeI
en1 s0kohanR and sincerely hope that the facilities IL
phOrds for communication may tepi 10 The yeIopment