The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-14

Watchfires Light Courtyard Watchfires had been lighted in the courtyard of the palace and flares set in braziers burned at each corner Of the open space.
 Profound silence prevailed as the casket was placed on the caisson and all those gathered in the vicinity of the palace bowed. On top of the cof- fin reposed a small white wooden tray on which the imperial sword was laid. Then the doors of the car were shut and locked, the candles extinguished, land torches lighted by those who were to march alongside When all the ar rangements had been completed Elm peror Yoshihito and Empress Sadako Princess Takeda, representing the Elm press Dowager, whose physicians pro hibited her from taking part in the ceremony and the princesses of the imperial family came through the hall entered their carriages and started off alone for Aoyama in order that they might be ready to receive the coffin on it's arrival there. The departure of their majesties was followed by the great procession. It was headed by dozen police inspectors and the inspec- tor general. These were followed by strong contingents of military and naval guards of honor.
 Then came the attendants bearing torches and wearing garments of hemp Others carried drums and musical in struments of ancient types on which they played funeral marches.
 Retainers came next carrying white and yellow banners representing the sun and moon. The stars were of dam ask silk, figured with gold and the moon was represented in silver. Hun dreds of other retainers bearing bows land arrows, shields and halberds and other old martial equipment followed Still scores of other attendants carry Ing sacred trees. urns of offerings, ikons, gongs, peculiar shaped drums and flutes were in line. 1nterspersed among them were hundreds of Shinto ritualists and officials of the funeral corps.
 Togo Is Grand Master
 The funeral car was preceded by Count Togo, grand master of ceremonies, and Count Watanabe, minister of the by torchbearers.
 The car bearing the coffin was of hard Japanese wood of very heavy structure and borne on two wheels. Four oxen drew 1t attended by seven drivers Alongside marched half hun dred farmers from Vase, a village near Kioto, hereditary bearers of the Inn OH ttIeilpHiai ottd- sions Many high army and navy of ficials acted as an extra escort.
 Other officers of the line, chamber lains, civil officials and torch bearers, came next, and preceding Prince Kanin. representative of Emperor Yoshihito. in the procession. Following him came the Prince of the Blood" and the peers. The late doctors of the Emperor followed, and then came the ministers of state and more officials, the procession concluding with some thousands of soldiers and sail ors. The entire division of the imperial bodyguard marched behind the coffin. as did representatives of all the army de- partments and 10000 sailors. Thousands of other troops lined the route from the pal ace to Aoyama. All those who partici- pated in the cortege were on foot. The procession moved from the palace through the grounds and over the great double bridge used only by the Emperor himself and by newer attaches and by great dig ntaries. great throng filled the space on the other side of the bridge, and a pc cullar effect was produced as the pro- cession passed through their mute ranks. only the sound of weird Shinto music breaking the silence. The scene was im- pressiye and spectacular.