Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-25

and other ladies of the court. in closed
carriages Their yellow dresses will be
partly yelled in black. More distant fe-
male relatives wear red and white. Next
will come the high officials and dignitartes
in full court dress the members of the
diplomatic corps and other representa-
tives of foreign nations, including Mr..
Knox, officers of the army and navy, and
members of the imperial household. The
parade will finish with several regiments
of military, including the garrison of
Toxic and sailors from the fleet.
\
On arriving at Aoyama. whittier the
new emperor will drive in his state
coach (not accompanying the process
sion), a vast concourse of people will
be found assembled to witness the i'm
pressive ceremonies that are to follow.
1t Is taken for granted that the multi
tude will be hungry. and food will be
served to everybody in little square
boxes. each with a pair of chopsticks.
The chief mourners. however, will not
partake. number of huge tents VIII
have been erected. One of these is to
shelter the imperial mourners, another
is for the ministers of state. diplomats
and other dignitaries.
Before going further 1t should be ex-
planned that the actual interment will
not take place at Aoyama. 1t Will be
merely a preliminary ceremonial, for
which a temporary temple has been
built on the gently sloping hillside, OF
pure white wood with a gold roof. In
front of it is a broad square platform,
with chairs placed in rows beneath the
overhanging roofs. On this platform
the foreign representatives and all the
most distinguished personages OF Japan
will sit. To keep out the crowd a large
~
fngs of white and blue cloth, and into
this penned-off area only the privileged
will be admitted.
In front of the temple is an altar Of
white wood, draped with white cloth,
and on it will be placed the emperor's
coffin, with the simple symbols of the
Shinto ritual. All around the temple the
thousands of flower cones are planted in
the ground, producing beautifully deco
rative effect.
When these preparations have been
duly made a little procession Of Shinto
choristers, attired in rich white silks, will
ascend to the platform and approach the
altar, followed by the pilgrim mourner
who will carry the wooden shoes; by the
new emperor and empress. and finally by
the princes, mobiles and foreign represent
duVeS, WHO VIII IdA6t lnSLiSCiNSS IA Va
der in the seats provided for them.
Against the dark background Of the
pine-clad hill will rise the white temple.
Around it will be the tall, bright-colored
banners and innumerable cones of flow
ers. The quaint old world garments of
the mourners. priests and choristers Will
be in startling contrast to the brilliant
uniforms Of the diplomats. the army and
navy officers and the court officials Out
side will be the vast crowd. The silence
will be profound.
Presently will be heard the weird notes
OF ancient Shinto music. rising and fall
ing with infections ihdescribably doleful
Within the sanctuary will stand the off-
ciating priests. clad in their white sur
plices (gathered at the waist with a Cir
dle) and wearing on their heads black
mitere. Some of them are musicians, and
they will accompany the rites from time
to time, both vocally and instrumentally.
Presently the chief priest Will advance
to the coffin, and. standing before the
altar. bow and pray. Offerings OF food
fish, birds, vegetables, fruit, rice and wine
will be brought on trays Of white wood,
and he will solicit their acceptance by the
spirit of the august departed.