The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-25
Body of Empress Dowager Drawn Through Streets in
 Car Drawn by Oxen
AMERICAN COLONY
 VIEWS PROCESSION
No Pageant of Such Solemn Grandeur in Japan Since Funeral of Mutsu- hito-Emperor Pays Homage
 by Reading Address

ToSio, May e4.--A million torches and lanterns illuminated Tokio tonight when the body of the Empress powaEor Haruio
 was borne through the streets in q beauti- ful funeral car drawn by white oxen. There had been no pageant of such solemn grandeur here since the funeral of Elm peror Mutsuhito. year and a half ago.
 Practically tho entire American colony viewed the procession from various points Of vantage. IL Is rule that no Japanese subjects may look down upon a royal parsonage from elevated points. whether the royalties be dead or alive In strict observance of this every door and window above thes first floors along the funeral route was closed and dark.
 The ceremonies tonight were the cul- imitation of series of services held daily since the official death of the Empress Dowager on April H. Her actual death occurred two days earlier at Numadzu. but tradition prescribes that no member of the imperial family can die outside the capital, so the body of the Empress was conveyed to TolSio, and driven smartly to the Aoyama palace in a closed private carriage. At the palace she officially died a few hours later.
 Special Temple Erected
 In the six weeks since then special temple was erected on the Yoyogi mil- tary field. southwest of the city. where the main funeral service was held. In the morning the service of installation of tho spirit" was performed with great cere- ln fn1na Ina Nnanr Princes and Princesses of the blood were present to pray before the shrine
 By noon crowds, augmented by thou sands from the country, filled the streets The people stood for hours waiting for the cortege.
 At dusk when the illumination of the route had been completed the imperial coffin was placed in the funeral car at Oayama palace, and the procession formed with a large military force at its head Amid dull yellow and white han- hers and torches came the funera; corr missioners, accompanied by their secre- taries and court servants dressed in ancient robes. Interspersed were men bearing evergreen trees.
 The advance of the cortege was almost nciseless. the streets having been covered with a thick layer of sand. The funeral flutes were heard as the funeral car ap- preached It was lead by Baron Hatano. minister of the imperial household, . striking figure in white, whose way was embazened by torches.
 Three white oxen in reserve plodded ahead of the two which were yoked to tho funeral car The car was of cubic form, with its interior exquisitely lacquered. partly in black and partly In chestnut. Bamboo blinds hung from the square opening and brass curtains from the side. The oxen were covered with rare white cloth and their horns were wonn. with ItIs. pie bowed and wept as the imperial hearse advanced.
 Later came hundreds of priests and bearers of the court gongs and the RDn- bours, and of many colored streamersf and banners The princes of the blood. each with his retinue holders of high imperial orders lords-in-waiting, members of the diet and several regiments of mili- tary and bodies of marines swelled the line
 A sacred gateway marked the entrance to the temple ground The Emperor and Empress had already arrived and were seated on a throne near the principal shrine, while the diplomatic corps. includ- Ing George w. Guthrie, the American ann
 bassador. had also taken their places ia a reserved section.
 Standing watch fires, in imitation of those used in the imperial court yards In ancient days made up of pine faggots. were ablaze in various parts of the temple in iron baskets set on tripods. Handsome Offerings Made When the funeral ear had been drawn up before the chief shrine the dirge was chanted and food offerings were given. Other offerings included gold brocade. damasks silks and silk thread. all placed in il hoN made of willow branches. The Emperor paid his homage by read ing an address He was followed by others representing the court and the empire. These over. the curtains were drawn be- fore the shrine and the imperial coffin was borne to a special train conveying 1t to Momoyama, near I<ioto. to be laid away in plot of land near the mauso- leum of the Emperor Mutsuhito. At the departure cannon thundered from Slli- nagawa bay several miles away and a vast body of mourners bowed their last reverences
 President Sends Wreath
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