Evening star., 1912-09-15
IN THE TOMB
Japanese Rulers Body De-
posted in Last Resting Place.
ANCIENT RITES OBSERVED
Interment on Imperial Estate Five
Miles From Kioto.
IN VAULT OF GREAT ANTIQUITY
Ceremonies at Night-Road to
Burial Place Made Brilliant bv
Lights Seen Far Away.
IN VAULT OF GREAT ANTIQUITY

hlOTO, Japan. September 14.-'rhe body
of Emperor Mutsuhito was placed tonight
in the imperial mausoleum at Monoyams.
an imperial estate about five miles from
kioto. Mutsuhto had been extremely
fond of the surrounding scenery and had
expressed the desire that this should be
his last resting place.
From an early hour in the day great
crowds had gathered along the road to
Monoyama, hoping to get glimpse of the
funeral procession. The roadway to the
imperial tomb was hung with crepe, drap-
ed on white panels A double line of
soldiers and sailors f1anked the route.
which, cutting through famous tea fields.
had been built up to a height of sixty feet
in some places and terminated in a court
of honor about two miles square in front
of the shrine. On the sides of the road
had been placed arc lamps and braZiers.
the lights of which were visible for many
miles.
Borne by Hundred Farmers.
On arrival at Monoyama the coffin was
removed from the train and placed on a
funeral palanquin. This was borne by
100 farmers of Vase village in gray hemp
costumes. Approaching the burial hall,
the paneled doors We're thrown open, re-
vealing a stand, on which the coffin was
placed Prince Fushimi, cousin of the
late emperor. and Prince kan-in, the rep
resentative of Emperor Yoshihito. and the
princess. representing the other members
of the imperial family. entered and took
up their allotted places, while the officials
assembled to the right and left. A black
curtain was dropped over the doorway.
The top of the palanauin was removed
and the coffin placed on d carrier, which
bore it to the tomb, all on the plateau
bowling to the ground in final reverence.
Prior to the interment a great pro-
ceSSiOn was formed dt the station, IN
which the local authorities participated.
All the ancient implements of war and
ritualistic ornaments were carried be-
hind the coffin
Immediately following the palanquin
chamberlainS carried on a low table a
pair of imperial sandals covered with
custom. for in oiden times boy attend
ant always followed the imperial palan-
quin carrying "A pair of sandals. Amid
prayers and the chanting of dirges the
procession moved to the burial hall
In Vault of Great Antiquity.
The vault in which the emperor's body
was placed is of great antiquity. 1t is
circular in shape, with three steps run
IliHS dIOu1lu the Slue- lie lIleIlOf Is
fifteen by twenty feet in dimension,
while the outside diameter is thirty feet,
and a. large space of ground has been
laid out around it as sacred The in
terror is lined with granite. and at the
four corners of the stone covering four
clay figures were buried in accordance
with the custom of ancient times. when
figures of men, birds or beasts were
buried to guard the imperial body.
Before the coffin was covered earth was
thrown upon it and the burial hail. in
which the tomb stands, was decorated
with white silk curtains, while the great
divine trees, the Sun and Moon ban
ners, caskets of bows and arrows, hal
herds, shields. gongs and drums were
placed all about.
on each side of the oratory lantern
was lighted and the doors of the burial
han were thrown open. Offerings of
sacred food, contained in five earthen
holders We're then placed in front of the
tomu
Prince Kan-In read an address TO the
end. and with Representatives of the i'm
perial family knelt and worshiped the
spirit of the dead. These were followed
by the imperial princes and others pres
ent. The offerings We're then withdrawn
and the doors of the burial hall closed,
closing the burial ceremony.