Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-15
YOSHTHITO TAKES
PLACE AS DEITY
Japanese Emperor Offers Feast of
Sacred Rice to Spirits of
Ancestors.
CHIEF RITE OF CORONATION

KIOTO, Nov. lL-Tonight, alone. un-
seen and unheard, in primitive huts OF
thatch and reed, Emperor Yoshihito Of
| fered feast OF sacred rice to the spirits
OF his ancestors and 10 the deities OF
heaven and earth. and then himself pnr-
took OF the sacred food. Many Japanese
regard this ceremony as the eliminating
and chief rite of all. since through It the
emperor receives the confirmation OF his
hereditary right to dedication.
In Japanese the ceremony Is called
''Daljosai," which translated implies
'',Trand Harvest, or Thanksgiving Fes-
tivAl." The ceremony proper was pre-
ceded by many prellminaries, including
that OF yesterday, when prayers were Of
fered for the longevity of the imperial
house, and the sending this morning OF
imperial messengers to each OF the 172
shrines throughout the empire to notify
the spirits OF the imperial ancestors that
the grand harvest festival was about TO
begin.
Still another preliminary held In the
morning was the offering of food before
the imperial sanctuary in the Shunkoden
hall of the kioto palace, A chamberlain
and a mald-of-honor represented the en-
peror and empress In ancient costume.
spirits Invited.
Prior. also. TO the festival proper was
held ceremonial dedicated TO inviting
the spirits of the deities OF heaven and
earth to come TO their respective shrines
in the DaiJo halls. These two shrlnes.
the Yuki dedicated TO the deities of
heaven. and the Suk TO those Of earth,
were first purified and then decorated.
Several hundred military and naval Of
ficers OF distinction. peers and other
dignitarles assembled at the waiting hall.
All were attlred In full ceremonial dress.
the Japanese women wearing the ancient
court robes.
The crown prince, princes and prin-
cesses Of the blood and other members
OF the imperial family then entered the
pavilion temporarily built for their re-
ception. Presently the emperor came In,
followed by his retinue. The guard OF
honor. consisting OF picked officers and
men from the bodyguard troops. were
arrayed outside the main gates OF the
shrincs A score OF coronation officials
proceeded to the torli or Shlnto gates at
the four sides OF the grounds and took
their posts as the guard of honor.
Wear CcremoniaI Dress.
They wore the elegant ceremonial dress
OF ancient courtiers. II consisted of a
short robe OF light blue color. an unlined
garment a loose tunic with a long train,
a sleeveless undergarment. a pair of
inner trousers. pair OF outer trousers
and a Jeweled belt; a sword with a broad
girdls; flat quiyer with arrows; a bow:
aEp Of laI
seerated surplice. On their heads the
guards wore a coronet with a pennant
OF silk guaze coiled at the hack. A
dozen officials In similar costume took
their posts on the right and left OF the
tori. completing fascinating picture OF
ancient japan.
On a stand were placed sacred shoes
OF pure gold brocade and bedding with
sacred clothes thereon made OF pure raw
silk thread On small eight-legged tables
were bamboo baskets containing the
sacred vestments OF silk ana cotton.
Ritualists then proceeded to the two
shrines OF Heaven and Earth and pre-
pared the seats for the reception OF the
respective groups OF spirits. The seats
were arranged on the top OF an elevated
throne in the innernost section OF tho
shrines. each being covered with a small
mating bordered with pure white hemp
cloth.
Sacred Lamps Lighted.
Now twilight had come and sacred
lamps. one OF white, the other Of black,
were lighted at the corners OF the shrines
while a sacred bonfire blazed at the south
ern gate. Advancing slowly. the emperor,
(continued on Page Two. Column Three.)