Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-09-03
tanning his own army Of two-sworded

| carrying the old time spears, from the
heads Of which will fiutter white silk
bannerets. Then will come other
bodies Of troops, attired and armed as
in feudal days. In fact, the procession
will owe its spectacular effect largely
to the introduction Of such living re-
J minders Of antiquity, interspersed with
bands Of musicians playing on native
! instruments, officials, carrying mortu-
ary and other emblems, and priests.
The Pilgrim Mourner.
Next will appear a large Golfer OF
white wood, carried by priests in
flowing robes Of pure white. 1t will
contain offerings Of food, to be pre-
sented at the grave, and 1t will be ac-
companied by stand with silken COW
erings, which will serve to support and
adorn 1t when the cemetery is reached.
Behind it will walk a solitary mourner
attired as a pilgrim. with staff and
bearing a pair of high wooden shoes
for the weary feet Of the emperor on
his last long journey. These, later,
will be placed on the coffin.
Then will come the imperial princes
on foot, dressed in the old mourning
garb Of Japan. They will wear wide
trousers Of black linen, with an over
dress Of white. Each will carry a tall
stan Of bamboo. and will be shod with
straw sandals. Theirs is a painful
share in this remarkable ceremony,
for they will scarce have an opportu-
nifty to sit down in twenty-fo hours,
and during that time they will partake
of no food.
Then will appear the ox-wagon, with
wheels built to creak mournfuMy, the
ancient Japanese substitute for q
hearse. On it will be the coffin of
white wood containing the body Of his
defunct majesty.
Preceding and following the ox-wa-
gon will be mounted Shinto priests in
white robes, officers Of the court, and
the favorite horses Of the emperor,
their trappings yelled in crepe, and led
by grooms. In Japan horses are sup
posed to have souls, and after the war
with Russia special rites were cele-
brated for the animals which had fall
len in battle.
These will be followed by the prin-
cesses and other ladies Of the court,
in closed carriages. Their yellow
dresses will be partly yelled in black.
More distant female relatives wear red
and white. Next win come the high
officials and dignitaries in full court
dress; the members Of the diplomatic
corps and other representatives 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.
Food for tho Multitude.
On arriving at Aoyama, whittier the
new emperor will drive in his state
coach, (not accompanying the process
sion,) vast concourse of people will
be found assembled to witness the i'm
pressive ceremonies that are to fol-
low. 1t is taken for granted that the
multitude will be hungry, and food
will be served to everybody in little
square boxes, each with pair of chop
sticks. The chief mourners, however,
will not partake. A number of huge
tents will have been erected. One Of
ers, another Is for the ministers Of
state, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
when these preparations have been
duly made little procession Of Shinto
choristers, attired in rich white silks,
will ascend to the platform and ap-
proach the altar, followed by the pill
grim mourner," who will carry the
wooden shoes; by the new emperor
and empress, and finally by the prin-
ces, mobiles, and foreign representa-
tives, who will range themselves in
order in the seats provided for them.
Presently will be heard the weird
and failing with infections indescrib-
ably doleful. Within the sanctuary will
stand the officiating priests. clad In
their white surplices (gathered at the
waist with a girdle) and wearing on
their heads black mitres. Some Of
them are musicians, and they will ac-
company the rites from time to time
both vocally and instrumentally.
Presently the chief priest will ad-
vance to the coffin, and, standing be-
fore the altar, bow and pray. Offer
ings 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.
New Emperor's EuIosy.
After another prayer he will step
back and the new emperor will come
forward and read from scroll a eul-
ogy of the late emperor. 1t will con-
clude with the words:
1--WE offer this rite Of worship to
Of our sad thoughts, pray you to come
and receive the offerings we make"
This will conclude the ceremonies at
Aoyama. Thence, by special train, the
body will be conveyed, with the prin-
cipal mourners. to the old imperial
cemetery near Kioto. where the burial
will take place. The grave will not be
in the open, but under the shelter of
a temple specially built. 1t will be not
less than twenty feet deep. and will be
lined with granite slabs.
In obedience to custom. the coffin
will be lowered very slowly into the
grave, at least an hour being occupied
in this part of the performance. The
emperor's sword and the pair of pill
grim's shoes will rest on the top OF
the casket, with handful of gold
coins and plate Of polished copper
bearing a long description. Finally
the grave will be filled with earth. the
utmost care being taken that the