New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-14

tTically lighted, When ncarlnBg oholdHl"
the yarships in the harbor fired a salute
and at the station an enormous crown
had gathered to pay their respects 70 the
dead monarch.
Aovama. Sept. Booth the Emperor
and the people Of Japan tonight paid
homage to the memory of Emperor Nut
suhito I'm the funeral hall at Aoyama. IN
front Of the great coffin the young En-
peror read an address Of lamentauon' III
which he referred 10 the events III tnc
life of his dead father Then, IN pehah
Of the people of Japan. the Premier Mar
quis Saionji. delivered a patriotic address
and was followed by the Minister OF the
Household who spoke for the dead En-
peror's attendants.
When the great procession accompany
ing the body from the imperial palace III
Toxic arrived at the entrance 10 the
grounds OF the palace at Aoyama ten
huge sas lanterns were lighted. Ritual
lists then arranged white curtains al the
back and side Of the bier, ano nan
drawn blind in front. The hall was
crowded with thousands Of high dlShl-
taries, among whom was sprinkled a con-
siderable number Of foreigners. Also
present were hundreds Of priests o. va
rious Shiuto and Buddhist sccts. Who TOOK
I'D positions in the hall. dressed IN thelr
multi-colored robes The Emperor and
the other II embers Of the imperial family
meanwhile waited in a resting room until
the ARRANGEMENT for the services were
completed.
The many battalions comprising the
military and naval escorts lined mp out
side the entrance, while the bearers OF
military cmblems and golden sun and
silver Moon" banners assembled in col
umns just inside. others formed along
both sides Of the space In front Of the
catafalquC and a pair Of immense sacred
trees aso were placed in position there.
From the entrance 10 the grounds Up
to the funeral hall a special road Of c,n-
crete had been built 10 accommodate me
funeral car Along this road the cor
passed slowly. drawn by tie five oxen.
and halted at the door As the coffin
was taken from the car the officiating
|. priests and musicians passed 10 their TO-
sitions I'm the vacant space around cine
bier The Emperor and Empress and the
imperial princes and princesses. with their
suites, here joined the procession md
| followed at slow march. All bowed n
salute as the coffin was placed on The
bier
The ritualistic ceremonies were then be
gun. the chief ritualst reciting prayer.
which was followed By a mournful Sh.nto
hymn, chanted to the accompaniment ~
sacred instruments. Then offerings were
made 10 the spirit OF the departed. These
consisted Of divine food, composed Of rice.
sake seaweed. salt and vegetables. which
were placed on tables i'm front Of tho
I coffin. The entire Offering was accompa-
MED by a pair Of chopsticks made of
willow tree wood. Other offerings we're
articles Of clothing. made Of brocade. ng-
ured silk and other textiles
Further prayers were then read and
hymns chanted, and then the young En-
peror with his relatives knelt In silent
prayer In front of the bier.
II was an affecting scene. and an addi-
tionally mournful note was added to 1t by
the playing and chanting Of the dirge
known as "Rui-ka," taken from the
Oldest written history of Japan. The
verses, which originated as far back as
the second century of the Christian era.
are In the ancient japanese language and
almost unintelligible to the modern Jap
anese.
This part Of the function completed, the
Emperor then read his address Of lamon-
tation and paid his respects TO his dead
father by bowling low toward the coffin.
All the other persOnages, according TO
their rank. then came forward and paid
their respects, after which the offerings
of food and clothing were Withdrawn. and
the Emperor and the imperial party re-
tired TO their resting room.
This concluded the ceremony at
Aoyama, and the coffin was prepared for
departure by special train to Monoyama
distance Of $50 miles.