The Hawaiian gazette., 1914-05-29
LAST Rites ARE I
I Hill ron : n
Body Of Late Empress Of Japan
Laid at Rest Near the
Imperial Mausoleum

! TOXIC, May 20. Associated Press
BY Federal wifeIess) when the cnsket
eontaihing the body Of Empress
Dowaacr Hafnko was laid away today
in plot Of ground, at Momoyamn,
near the mausoleum Of Emperor Mutsu-
hito, tho simple act marked the con
elnsion Of series Of remarkable eere.
monials in honor Of the dead.
Two days ago, In this city, were
held the fnneral rites proper which in
cluded pageant unequaled in solemn.
lgrandenr since that following TIL death
Of the late Emperor.
a million torches illuminated the
city when the body Of the Empress
Downger was borne through the streets
Ia a beautiful funeral ear drawn by
white oven.
Many Americans Attend
Fraetleany the entire American
colony viewed the procession iron
various nonts of vanfage. 1t is a rule.
that no Japanese subjects may look
IOWA upon " royal parsonage from ele.
waited points, whether the royalties be
dead or alive. In strict observance OF
this, every door and window above the
first floors along the funeral ronte was
closed and dark.
Tho ceremonies were the culmina
ton Of series of services held daily
since the official death Of the Empress
powager April 4. Her nctual death
occurred two days earlier at Numadzl >,
but tradition proseribes that no mem,
Der Of the Imperial family can die cut 1
side the capital, SO the body Of the
Empress was conveyed TO Toxic, aud
driven smartly to the Aoyama Palace
In a closed prirnta carriage. at the
palace she officially died a fcw
hours later.
Special Temple Burt
In the six weeks since then, spe iaI
temple was erected on the Yoyogi mill.
tary field, southwest Of the city, whtre
the main funeral service was held ln
the morning the service OF 'sinstalla-
tion of the spirit = was performed with
great ceremony. The Emperor, the
Empress, Princes and Prineesses Of the
blood were present to pray before the
BY noon crowds, augmented by
thousands from the country, filed the
streets. The people stood for hours
waiting for the cortege.
At dusk when the Illumination Of
the route had been completed the I'm
pcriaI coffin was placed in the funeral
ear at Oayama Palace, and The process
sion formed with large military
force at its head. Amid dull yellow
and white banners and torches, came
the funeral commissioners, accompanied
by their secretaries, and court servants
dressed in ancient robes. Interspered
were men bearing evergreen trees,
Streets carpeted With Sand.
The advance Of the cortege was al.
nost noiseless. the streets having Teen
covered with a thick layer of sand. The
funeral flutes wera heard as the funela'
car itself approached. 1t was led by
Haron Hatano, minister of the Imperial
household, striking figure in white,
" hose way was emblaz7ned by tor hes.
Three white oxen Ia reserve plo1ded
ahead Of the two which were yoked
To the funeral car. The ear was Of
cubic form, with its interior exquisite
Iy lacquered, partly in black aud part
~ in chestnut Bamboo blinds hung
from the square OPENINGS, and brass
curtains from the side. The oxen were
covered with rare white cloth and
their horns were wound with material
of the same texture The people
bowed and wept as the Imperial hearse
advanced.
Later came hundreds Of priests, and
bearers of the court gon~~ ~ X
tambours, and Of many colored stream
ers and banners. The rine es o. -.
blood, each with his retinue, holders
Of high Imperial orders. Lords-in-wait
ing, members of the Diet and several
regiments of military and Dou.es y
marines swelled the line.
Royal Throne in Temple.
"A sacred gateway marked the en-
trance 70 the temple ground. The En-
peror and Empress had already arrived
and were seated on throne near the
principal shrine, while the diplomatic
corps, including George W. Guthrie, the
American Ambassador, had also taken
their places in reserved section.
Standing watch fires, 10 imitation Of
those used IN the Imperial court yards
in ancient days, made up of pine flag
gots, were blazed IN yarions parts Of
the temple in iron baskets set on tri-
pods.
When the funeral car had been drawn
MP Lefore the chief shrine the dirgo
was ehanted and food offerings weIe
given. Other offerings included gold
hrOeade, damasks, silks and silk thread,
all placed in a box made Of willow
\ branches
The Emperor paid his HOMAGE by
reading an address. He was followed
! by others representing the court and
the Empire. These over, the curtains
we're drawn before the shrine and the
Imperial coffin was horne TO special
traiir conveying it TO Momoyaina. At
the departure, cannon thundere1 from
Shinagawa Bay several miles away and
q vast body Of mpurners bowed their
last reverenees.
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