Norwich bulletin., 1912-09-13
Ancient Rites
 For Mutsuhito
FUNERAL CEREMONIES OF LAVE
 JAPANESE EMPEROR.
A SOLEMN PROCESSION
Mourners of All NationaiItiss Pressnt Count Togo Grand Master of Ger emonies-Dirse by shinto Band.

Tokio, Sept 13.-The funeral cers- monies of the late Emperor Mutsuhito of Japan, known as the emperor of the era of enlightenment" began amid surroundings in which ancient rites and customs were mingled with mod ern military display. From the most extreme points of Japan subjects have assembled in Tokio. At midnight great crowds had gathered along the route of the procession. The weather was fair. A police cordon was estab- lished shutting off the streets through which the body of the emperor will be transported and upon which 1t is esti- mated half million people will be ac- commodated. A reservation was pro- vided for 1000 foreigners, both resi- dents and visitors, at the request of Baron Yehihiro Sakatani. the mayor. Soon after midnight officials proceed ed to the palace in preparation for the early ceremony.
 Americans Among Mourners. The sombre coloring associated with western mourning was almost entirely absent, being replaced by the brilliant hues of the orient. Sorrow for the dead ruler was apparent in the faces of all who took part in the final act | of respect to an emperor whose reign | had witnessed some of the most mar velous developments in the life of any nation. Official representatives of ev- cry country had come to ToAio to par ticipate in the solemnities. Among | them were several princes represent ing reigning houses and special en- bassies commissioned to convey the coincidence of republican presidents. l The list included Philander c. Knox, | secretary of state of the United States, who was accompanied by Ransford E. Miller. chief of the far eastern section of the state department at Washing ton; Rear Admiral Alfred Reynolds. IT. S. N, and Brigadier General John J. Pershing, U. s. A.
 All Roads Led to Palace.
 The members of regular foreign diplomatic bodies were present in thsfr uniforms. the brilliance of which was set off by the modest evening dress worn by 8 few ministers from varfous lrepublics. l From an early hour in the morning the palace in its great private park in the heart of the capital was tho goal toward which virtually everybody in Tolxio made way on foot The late emperor only occasionally during his life left the moated enclosure where his body has lain in state since Aug. | 10. since lIldl OAtc, OU thCH leulu Odgs solemn memorial services and sacri- fees to the spirit of the departed ruler were performed.
 casIeet Weighed 5000 Pounds. | The casket containing the body lay in state in the main hall. It had been decorated according to Shinto rites by special corps of ritualists appointed for the obsequies. The casket was Of enormous dimensions, measuring near ly ten feet bv five. and weighing one and a half tons.
 At o'clock in the morning the of- ficial mourners began to arrive. F1rst came the wearers of imperial decora- tions, court officials. ministers of
 state and their wives and other spe-
 cially invited personages After these there arrived the members of the fu-
 neral commission in native ceremonial
 costume with swords. They were fol-
 lowed by the chief and assistant ritu-
 alists of the imperial funeral corps, also in full native costume. Members of Household Follow. Members of the household then took
 their places and were followed by the
 higher officials who personally attend , ed on the late emperor, representatives , of the peers related to the imperial , family and all the physicians who , were present dL the OebtDDeu. After a short wait. during which the
 functionaries formed a procession.
 Emperor Yoshihto arrived. He was , in the full uniform of commander In chief with black crepe armband an1 , sword knot He was attended by Count Togo. the grand master of cere- , monies, and Count Watanabe. minister
 of the imperial household. who were
 followed by court chamberlains carry l taI rd
 ter them came Prince Katsura, the lord chamberlain with General Naks- , mura, the chief aide de camp. Empress in Dress of Hemp.
 A small procession composed of the
 princes of the imperial blood in order , of precedence came next
 The empress then entered fin native court dress made of hemp cloth. hsr unbound hair falling on her shoulders. Her upper garment was of dark brow and her skirt Of dull orange. The
 court ladies and maids of honor as
 well as the prncesses of the blood, were also thus atttred
 Dowansr Empress in Native Costunns.
 The dowager empress procession
 was of a similar character. She was , in native costume and was preceded
 by the chief steward and followed by
 her ladies of honor. Prince Kan-In Iwore the uniform of a general with
 an ancient robe of black hemp. He carried a sword and staff.
 As soon as the imperial processions had entered the hall and those com
 posing them had taken their seats.
 the swinging screen in front of the
 catafalque was removed by the ritual ists and the Shinto band played soft dirge on instruments resembling flutes
 of three kinds and three peculiar drums.
 Offerings of Sacred Food. The chief ritualist and his assist ants proffered the offerings of sacred
 food, to the continued accompaniment
 of Shinto music, after which other of- ferings of red and white cloth enclosed
 in willow boxes were made.
 Prayers for the dead were recited
 by the chief ritualist, who had taken
 his place in the center before ne
 catafalque.
 Worshipped Spirit of Departed.
 The most solemn act followed when
 the emperor, the empress the dowager
 empress and the princes and princesses
 advanced toward the casket and wor-
 shipped the spirit of the departed en- peror. A short silence ensued: the processions were reformed, and tho members of the imperial family re- tired.
 The other members of theN assem- blaze, however, remained to worship the dead emperor's spirit. after which
 the Shlnto rltualists advanced to the
 altar and removed the offerings to the
 sound of sacred music. The screen in front of the imperial catafainue was | lowered by tho chief rituslist and tbs
 first ceremony of the funeral endea-